Dementia is a debilitating disease that not only effects the person afflicted with it but the entire family. dementia is a progressive disease that over a period of years eventually robs a person of their ability to recognize family members or take care of themselves and their daily needs. Alzheimers is only one form of dementia and is the best known.

Studies have indicated that 5% of people over the age of 65 and 20% of those people over the age of 80 will suffer from dementia. There doesn't seem to be any scientific evidence that indicates that old-age dementia is suffered on a generational basis way of genetics. dementia is brought about aging through the destruction of nerve cells in the brain. As each of us ages we all have some naturally occurring loss of nerves cells when someone suffers from Alzheimers dementia the loss of nerve cells is much more rapid.

Early symptoms of dementia may be a change in a loved ones personality or behavior. Your loved one may have memory loss and difficulty performing tasks. Eventually dementia affects language, comprehension, personality traits and daily functioning.

One of the most difficult things for families of those suffering from dementia to deal with may be the personality changes. Some people who suffer from dementia can become combative both physically and verbally. As the dementia progresses the person may lose all ability to physically care for himself/herself and need help with the most simple of tasks such as dressing and bathing.

At some point in time it usually becomes impossible for family members to care for those with advanced Alzheimers. At this time they may want to look into a round-the-clock home for their loved one.

There are many organizations dedicated to the fight against Alzheimers who also offer support and guidance for family who are impacted by the disease.

We also have a complete web site devoted to providing information on Alzheimer's Disease, including tips for caregivers. Click here (opens in a new window).

I have been working in several hospitals helping patients with various problems, including dementia and delirium. Dementia is a permanent condition, whereas delirium is temporary, caused by drugs, including anesthetic, or brain injury, or even lying down too long. People with delirium can be aggresive and abusive. They can also be quite passive, more or less in a dream state. My own father thought he was in Algeria after he had a leg operation. Sooner or later, people with delirium recover; sadly, those with dementia do not.

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