10 Signs Death is Near Dementia | What to Watch For

livewell
July 25, 2024
Eric kent

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a term for a decline in cognitive function of the brain to the extent that it affects an individual’s daily life activities. Moreover, it is not a single disease but a group of symptoms due to different diseases. Globally,55 million people suffer from dementia. Dementia is usually more common in adults. In the later stage of dementia, identifying 10 signs death is near dementia is crucial for care and treatment.

Let’s discuss in detail what are the 10 signs death is near dementia.

What are the Types of Dementia?

Common types of dementia are:

Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the most common causes of dementia, and it accounts for almost 60-80% of cases. Alzheimer’s is due to specific brain alterations. The most common symptom is an issue in remembering recent events. Later, an Alzheimer’s patient is unable to recall old memories. Moreover, in later stages, a patient faces other difficulties like walking or talking and personality changes. One of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease is family history.

Vascular Dementia

Strokes or other problems with blood flow to the brain are the cause of 10% of dementia cases. Hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol can cause vascular dementia. Furthermore, the symptoms vary based on the size and area of the brain affected. In case of more strokes, the situation worsens.

Fronto-temporal Dementia

This dementia type causes changes in the personality and behavior of an individual. An individual suffering from frontotemporal dementia might embarrass himself/herself by inappropriate behavior. Moreover, an individual might have difficulty understanding or talking.

Mixed Dementia

It is the combination of two or more types of dementia at a time. For instance, an individual might suffer from Alzheimer’s disease as well as vascular dementia. It is not always clear whether the person has mixed dementia or any other type of dementia. Additionally, in the case of mixed dementia, the progression of symptoms is faster as compared to other types.

Lewy Body Dementia

An individual suffering from Lewy Body Dementia has difficulty in movement and balance. Moreover, they might have sleeping issues and may experience hallucinations like seeing people, shapes, etc.

What are the Symptoms of Dementia?

The symptoms vary among individuals. Some common symptoms of dementia are:

Memory loss.
Communication problems.
Difficulty in understanding.
Cognitive Decline.
Difficulty in movement.
Keeping no track of date, time, and location.

Furthermore, the symptoms are progressive, which means the signs and symptoms of cognitive decline and impairment start gradually and worsen with time leading to dementia.

What are the Causes of Dementia?

Dementia can be caused due to several diseases that could damage brain cells. Additionally, the damage interferes with the brain cell’s ability to communicate with one another. Thus, causing changes in an individual’s behavior.

Furthermore, different dementia types are associated with specific types of brain cell damage in localized regions. For instance, in Alzheimer’s disease, there is a rise in the level of some specific proteins that makes it difficult for the brain cells to communicate and stay healthy. The hippocampus is the brain region in which brain cells are often damaged first. As the hippocampus is the center of memory and learning, that’s why memory loss is mostly the earliest sign and symptom of Alzheimer’s.

What are the Risk Factors Associated with Dementia?

Some of the risk factors are:

Age

Age is the most common risk factor. The chances of dementia increase with age. Thus, it affects people who are 65 years old or older.

Genetics

Family history plays a role in causing dementia. If dementia is prevalent in the family, an individual is most likely to suffer from dementia.

Ethnicity

Race or ethnicity plays a crucial role in the development of dementia. For instance, African Americans have twice the chance of suffering from dementia as compared to white Americans.

Health

People with health conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes are at more risk than others.

Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can increase the dementia risk, particularly if the brain injury occurs frequently or is severe.

What is the Diagnostic Procedure for Dementia?

An overview of some of the diagnostic processes and diagnosing 10 signs death is near dementia is as follows:

Medical History

The healthcare professional gathers information regarding signs and symptoms. He/she then checks the family history of an individual.

Physical Examination

Healthcare professionals assess whether an individual suffers from dementia or other health conditions.

Neurological Examination

The healthcare professional evaluates an individual’s motor skills, reflexes, and neurological functions.

Laboratory Testing

Doctors perform blood tests to check for the condition that could mimic the symptoms of dementia.

CT scan, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and PET Scan

Healthcare professionals perform MRIs or CT scans to check for brain structural changes. Moreover, a PET scan is done to detect protein levels and patterns of brain activity.

Genetic Testing

The healthcare professional recommends genetic testing in case of a family history of dementia.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Test

It helps to give information regarding whether a person is suffering from dementia or not.

10 Signs Death is Near Dementia

Dementia death symptoms or dementia end of life symptoms are:

A decline in appetite and thirst.
Spend most of the time sleeping.
Fluctuation or decline in health.
An individual faces difficulty swallowing.
Breathing issues.
Confusion at the end stage as compared to earlier dementia stages.
Irregular bowel movement.
Reduced blood circulation leads to cold hands, legs, and feet.
Decreased communication level.
Loss of interest in social interactions.

Final Stages of Dementia

The final stages are challenging. Some of the symptoms associated with the final stages of dementia are:

Severe loss of memory.
The speech includes a few words.
Extreme weight loss.
More prone to the risk of infections.
Stiffness of muscles and joints.

Moreover, if the caregivers or family are mindful of these symptoms, they can provide the patient with extra care and love.

End of Life Care Dementia

It focuses on giving comfort to the patient and managing their symptoms. It involves giving physical comfort to the patient by giving them certain medications to provide them with comfort. Furthermore, end-of-life care also involves emotional and physical support to the patient. For instance, caregivers offer emotional and psychological support by using simple language, talking gently and with kindness, and providing a patient calm and peaceful environment. Additionally, end-of-life care also involves respecting the patient’s religious beliefs. End-of-life care is not only limited to caregiver support, it also requires family support. The main goal of end stage dementia care is to give respect, support, and peace to the patient and their family members. The caregiver’s extra support in case an individual experiences 10 signs death is near dementia.

How Dementia Leads to Death?

A patient in the last stage is prone to many medical complications, this can be due to their inability to move. Dementia patients might suffer from urinary tract infections or pneumonia. They might experience bedsores, blood clots, and other medical conditions. Insufficient food and water intake can lead to malnutrition.

For instance, a patient may die from pneumonia. Dementia patients might suffer from pneumonia because of trouble swallowing, it can take food or water to the wrong tube. Like, instead of going into the stomach it can go to the lungs or airways, thus causing pneumonia. Recognizing 10 signs death is near dementia is important for knowing the final stages of a person.

Can Dementia be Treated?

It cannot be cured, but certain medications and treatment options can help manage symptoms, thus improving a patient’s lifestyle. Some strategies are:

Medications

Certain medications can help improve memory and cognitive functions. They are:

Cholinesterase inhibitors like Aricept, Razadyne, etc.
Namenda.

Changes in Lifestyle

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is important for overall well-being. Physical activities and daily exercises help improve brain cognitive functions. Moreover, a balanced diet also plays a crucial role in brain health. Being socially active, gives emotional and psychological support, thus impacting brain health.

Giving Awareness to Caregivers

It is important to properly train and inform the caregivers on how to treat people with dementia.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dementia is a condition that causes a decline in a person’s cognitive functions. The symptoms of Dementia vary among individuals and it includes memory loss, cognitive decline, difficulty talking and understanding, etc. The risk factors of dementia are age, genetics, lifestyle, ethnicity, health, and head injuries. Furthermore,10 signs that death is near include loss of appetite, breathing difficulties, severe memory loss, weight loss, etc. People with end-stage dementia require special attention and care. End-of-life care involves psychological support, emotional support, spiritual support, and many other key factors. Dementia can cause death as it can eventually lead to certain medical complications. Although there is no such cure for dementia their symptoms can be managed, thus improving a patient’s lifestyle.

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What is dementia?

Dementia is a term for a decline in cognitive function of the brain to the extent that it affects an individual’s daily life activities.

What are the common symptoms of dementia?

The common symptoms are memory loss, communication problems, difficulty understanding, cognitive decline, difficulty in movement, and keeping no track of date, time, and location.

What are the symptoms at the final stage of dementia?

Some of the symptoms associated with the final stages of dementia are severe loss of memory, extreme weight loss, increased risk of infections, etc.