Skilled Dementia Care at Garden View Care Center
Hearing a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia is never easy. It often leaves families with many questions regarding how to provide the proper care, which is often extremely difficult to maintain without experienced, professional medical assistance. Garden View Care Center is the expert in skilled dementia care in the St. Louis, Missouri, area, offering 24-hour skilled nursing care that changes with the individual’s needs, providing peace of mind for families while maintaining dignity and respect for the resident.
If you have a loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia and are looking for a safe, caring residence, give us a call, or submit our contact form below to schedule a tour.
Understanding Dementia
Dementia is not considered to be part of normal, healthy aging. It’s defined as a deterioration of memory, concentration and judgment due to an organic disease or disorder of the brain. This can also sometimes be accompanied by emotional disturbance and personality changes. The disease changes memory and/or thinking skills so severely that it impairs a person’s daily functions, such as driving, shopping, working and even communicating.
Types of Dementia
Although dementia is used as an overarching term, there are several different types.
- Alzheimer’s Disease: The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s accounts for roughly 60% to 80% of diagnosed cases. It is a progressive disease that worsens over time, eventually hindering a person’s ability to carry on a conversation and respond to their environment. Visit our Alzheimer’s Care page to learn more.
- Vascular Dementia: This form of dementia may occur after a stroke or other condition that blocks blood vessels within the brain. These blockages and reductions in blood flow deprive certain areas of the brain of oxygen and nutrients, leading to a decline in thinking skills. Also referred to as vascular cognitive impairment (VCI).
- Lewy Body Dementia (LBD): LBD is estimated to be the third most common dementia cause behind Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. It is a progressive dementia caused by abnormal microscopic deposits that, over time, damage brain cells, causing a decline in thinking, reasoning and independent function.
- Huntington’s Disease: Also a progressive brain disorder, this form is caused by a single defective gene, resulting in changes within the central area of the brain, affecting movement, mood and thinking. Because the gene is considered to be dominant, anyone who has inherited the gene from a parent will eventually develop Huntington’s Disease.
To learn more about these and other types of dementia, visit the Alzheimer’s Association website at www.alz.org.
Common Dementia Behaviors and Symptoms
Every case is different, but there are several symptoms and behaviors that are commonly seen in individuals with dementia. These typically include:
- Apathy
- Depression
- Irritability
- Agitation
- Anxiety
Diagnosing Dementia
Unfortunately, there is no exact test to determine whether an individual has dementia. Based on symptom review, many physicians will be able to determine whether an individual has dementia. Sometimes, doctors will work together with specialists like neurologists, neuropsychologists, geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists in an effort to make a diagnosis, but still will most likely be unable to determine an exact cause.
A full physical exam and lab test will be performed to identify if symptoms may be caused by a separate health concern, such as depression, sleep apnea, medications, thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies, as these can be treated to help diminish or eliminate symptoms. A neurological test may also be performed to test reflexes, coordination, muscle tone and strength, eye movement, speech and sensation. A mental cognitive status test can help provide the physician with insight into the person’s memory, thinking and simple problem-solving abilities.
While there is not a cure for dementia, it is possible to provide treatment when properly diagnosed. For many progressive dementias, including Alzheimer’s, therapeutic medication can be utilized to help reduce cognitive and functional decline, while other options can help to temporarily slow worsening symptoms to improve the individual’s quality of life. Receiving a diagnosis early will allow the person to begin treatment sooner, possibly helping delay disease progression.
Contact Us & Schedule a Tour
If you suspect your loved one may have dementia, or has already received a diagnosis, give us a call, or submit our contact form below.
