Because dementia is a brain disease that usually manifests itself in cognitive and communicative disarray, one might wonder about what is really going on inside the mind of the patient. Do they have “thoughts”? Do the thoughts correspond to what they are saying or acting out? Do they recognize that they have a disease? South Mountain Memory Care, a memory care community serving the Allentown and Lehigh Valley, PA, area, will help you explore how—and about what—Alzheimer’s and other dementia patients think.
How does dementia change the thought process?
Dementia doesn’t change what people think about, but it does change the way people think. Dementia doesn’t necessarily change the person’s interests, but changes the way they express their interests. Dementia affects every aspect of the thought process, from remembering the sequence of steps to perform a task to developing a sense of apathy toward things they used to care about.
A person with dementia may still think about paying bills or making dinner, but what they can do with those thoughts is different due to the nerve cells that are dying. Some or all of the steps of the thought process can get blocked or delayed, progressively making it difficult to complete tasks from paying bills to brushing their teeth.
People with dementia may still care about their family, world events, how they feel, and other day-to-day concerns, but may become confused about matters of time, recognition, judgment, and proper behavior. Negative feelings born out of frustration may cause uncharacteristic outbursts and mood swings that can be frightening and hard to deal with.
Are people with dementia aware of their condition?
Dementia is a progressive disease, meaning it doesn’t instantly rob a person of all cognitive function. The initial diagnosis may be understood and even feared to the point of denying the possibility of dementia. Patients with early- to middle-stage dementia are generally aware of their memory deficits. As the disease progresses and more memories are lost, one of them will be the memory that they have this condition.
As a result, they may notice that things are somehow different but are frustrated by not understanding why. They may also think that they are normal and everyone else is acting differently, resulting in distress and even paranoia.
An important takeaway from this brief article is to realize that this is not a choice your loved one is making. If you notice symptoms of Alzheimer’s or another dementia, seek professional help so you can both process the changes appropriately.
Whatever the cause or level of your or your loved one’s memory issues, South Mountain Memory Care, with our unique culture, “small house” model, and abundance of certified caregivers, offers you the peace of mind of knowing your loved one will be cared for as if they were our family—which they are!
South Mountain Memory Care is committed to providing individualized, compassionate care to support our residents in achieving a well-balanced lifestyle. We strive to allow our residents to remain independent while emphasizing safety. Our focus is to enrich their life—mind, body, and spirit—by bringing new initiatives into their day-to-day regimen while maintaining the activities they find comfort in. South Mountain Memory Care offers the peace of mind you deserve. When it comes to those you care so deeply about, we understand because we care, too.