Dementia causes problems with mental skills that affect your day-to-day life. You can have trouble solving problems, memory loss, and sometimes even thinking and planning. These may get worse over time but how fast it gets worse is different for everyone.
What causes dementia?
Damage or changes to your brain is the main cause of dementia. If found early enough, some of these can be treated to help stop or slow the damage to the brain. This includes things like poor nutrition, being around poisons or heavy metals, depression, or problems with
metabolism or
hormones.
Some causes of dementia damage the brain and can't be reversed, such as:
Symptoms of dementia can cause problems with:
- eating
- feelings of depression and anxiety
- remembering and understanding
- sleeping
- talking
- walking and getting around (mobility)
How can palliative and end-of-life care help?
You and your family may be worried about the quality of your life. You may not eat much, and your family may wonder if giving fluids or supplements would help. You may wonder about what happens as you slowly lose your ability to look after yourself and make decisions.
Your palliative and end-of-life care team can help you and your family:
- understand what treatments to try (if any)
- decide what care options might be right for you
- start with advance care planning (for example, think about healthcare decisions you'd like and who will speak for you when you can no longer communicate your preferences)
Your palliative and end-of-life care team can also help to:
- answer your questions
- manage your symptoms
- give emotional support to you and your family
- find other supports if you need a higher level of care (for example, go from home to supported living or hospital)
