Understanding Dementia Progression: A Simple Guide
Dementia is a condition that affects many people in the UK. If you or a loved one are dealing with dementia, it’s essential to know how it can change over time. This article explains the different kinds of dementia (also known as sub types) and how it might worsen, slowly or quickly.
Different Kinds of Dementia
Before we talk about how dementia changes, let’s understand that there are different types:
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is the most common type.
It often starts with small memory problems and can get much worse.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia often happens after a stroke or when the brain doesn’t get enough blood.
It can come on quickly or slowly, depending on what caused it.
Lewy Body Dementia
With Lewy body dementia, people might see things that aren’t there, have trouble moving, and their thinking goes up and down.
Some people with this type get worse faster than others.
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
FTD affects how people behave and talk.
How fast it gets worse depends on which kind of FTD it is, but it often leads to big changes in personality and talking.
How Dementia Gets Worse
Dementia doesn’t always change at the same speed for everyone. It can be slow or fast, and here’s how it usually happens:
Early Stage
At first, you might notice small memory problems or find it hard to do everyday tasks.
Things usually get worse slowly during this stage, but you can still do a lot on your own with some help.
Middle Stage
In the middle stage, your memory gets worse, and it’s harder to do everyday things.
How fast it gets worse can be different for each person, but it usually keeps going at about the same speed.
Late Stage
In the late stage, things get really tough. You might not be able to talk or remember much.
Some people get worse slowly in this stage, but others might go downhill quickly.
Things That Make a Difference
Some things can make dementia change faster or slower, so it’s really important to see what interventions you or your loved one are able to make to slow down progression of the disease.
1. The Kind of Dementia
Each type of dementia can change at its own pace. Some are quicker, and some are slower.
2. Your Health
If you have other health problems, they can make dementia worse.
3. Your Family History
If other people in your family had dementia, it might affect how fast it gets worse for you.
4. Taking Care of Yourself
Eating well and staying active might help slow down how fast dementia gets worse.
Final Thoughts
While currently there’s no cure, early diagnosis, good care, and support can improve life for people with dementia. By knowing the different types and what can speed up or slow down the changes, you can better help your loved ones who are facing this challenge.
What’s really important to remember is that everyone’s condition will be personal to them, and no two people’s journey will be the same. New treatments are developing all the time for the disease, and in 2023 we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
