Dementia is a severe condition that affects the brain. It’s a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time.
There are different types of dementia, which can affect people differently. The symptoms can also vary widely from person to person, depending on what type of dementia they have and how advanced their condition is at any given time.
Although there’s no cure for dementia, dementia care in Berea, SC, can help with some symptoms – and in some cases, even slow down its progression. But many misconceptions about dementia still exist, which makes it hard for people living with the condition to get the care they need. Here are six common myths about dementia care and why they’re wrong:
Dementia Is A Disease
Dementia is a group of symptoms affecting the brain. These symptoms affect memory and thinking ability, eventually becoming severe enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia is not a disease but rather a symptom of other diseases or conditions that affect the brain. This can include strokes, Parkinson’s disease, brain tumors, and Alzheimer’s. It’s essential to understand this because dementia is progressive—it worsens over time as more brain parts are affected by damage from these underlying conditions.
Dementia Is Untreatable
One of the prevalent misconceptions regarding dementia is that it cannot be treated. However, as we’ve discussed in previous sections, dementia is not a disease itself—it’s a symptom of an underlying disease that can be treated.
With this knowledge in mind, you may wonder what treatments exist for people with dementia. Some common treatments include medication to help with symptoms such as depression or other mental health issues; physical therapy to maintain mobility; diet changes and exercise programs to improve quality of life; and socialization activities like outings or trips to the library.
Dementia Is A Terrifying Experience For Those Who Have It Or Care For Those With It
One of the biggest misconceptions about dementia is that it’s a death sentence. While it can be devastating for the person living with it or their loved ones to see their loved one lose memories, skills, and abilities, there are ways to manage all of these symptoms.
Dementia is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another like some viruses or diseases are (you won’t catch dementia from someone who has it).
People often believe that when someone develops dementia, they will have Alzheimer’s disease specifically; however, this isn’t true! Dementia can take many forms and affect people in many different ways, so there is still so much more research needed before we know exactly what causes which type of dementia or how best to treat each one effectively.
People With Dementia Are Always Sad And Depressed
While depression is a very common symptom of the disease, it’s not the only one. People with dementia can also feel confused, angry, or frustrated, even though they don’t know why these emotions are happening. They may feel overwhelmed by their surroundings or unable to make sense of things around them.
This misconception tends to be perpetuated because there’s a tendency for caregivers and family members to focus on their loved ones’ sadness as they forget about other symptoms like anxiety and anger—which can become more pronounced when someone is feeling down in general—and when those affected are no longer able to communicate how they feel because they’ve lost cognitive function (or some other complication).
Conclusion
It’s important to know that you aren’t alone in your struggle with dementia. There are many ways that you can get help, from local support groups for family caregivers or visiting a doctor who specializes in treating this disease. You should also know that caring for someone with dementia does not mean giving up life altogether—you can still enjoy time spent with family and friends even though they have this disease!
