By Ed Owen

The Latin word “dementia” literally means “out of one’s mind.” Unfortunately, this type of negative descriptor has often established a mind set that cause many to see one’s identity as “dementia” rather than a “person with dementia.”

Although the incidence of dementia increases as we age, it is not a normal part of the aging process. It is not a disease, itself, but rather a term used to describe a group of disorders of the brain, which affects a person’s memory, ability to organize thought, orientation to time and place, as well as his or her judgment, communication and behavior.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and represents approximately 50% to 70% of all dementia cases. Its primary impairments are that of memory, language and functional disability.

Dementia with Lewy bodies is the second most common dementia representing approximately 20% of all cases. Its primary impairments affect memory, thinking processes and physical activity similar to the effects of Parkinson’s disease.

Vascular dementia causes are due to problems of circulation of blood to the brain from such things as stroke, high blood pressure and cardiac problems. Some of its symptoms include poor concentration and communication as well as paralysis or weakness of the extremities.

Pick’s disease is caused by an abnormal form of a protein, called pick’s bodies, similar to the one that causes Alzheimer’s disease. It causes behavioral and emotional changes, language changes, and movement difficulties. It is more common in women and usually begins between the ages of 40 and 60.

A person’s experience of dementia cannot be limited to simply the neurological deterioration of the brain. The late Dr. Thomas Kitwood, a pioneer in the field of dementia care, suggested a holistic model of understanding a person with dementia, meaning that each individual’s dementia is the sum of his personality, biography, health, neurological impairment, and social psychology.

Personality refers to one’s life skills, how he deals with life and major events.

Biography refers to the person’s life story of events, family, culture and other characteristics.

Health includes other health conditions such as the presence of cardiac disease, diabetes, toxins, loss of senses or mobility which may interfere with the individual’s ability to interact.

Neurological Impairment refers to the type or types of dementia one has as well as the progression of the disease process.

Social psychology includes how one perceives him/herself, as well as how the people surrounding him/her respond to the cognitive losses. This can have a significant influence on the person with dementia and actually worsen the condition.

Because of these factors, as well as the varying influence of each element of the formula, no two people’s experience of dementia is the same.

In the event that you or a family member is experiencing signs or symptoms of cognitive impairment contact your primary health care professional. Decline in cognitive functioning can be caused by physical and psychological conditions other than dementia.

Ed Owen is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and the Administrator of the Masonic Home of Virginia. He has over 40 years of both clinical and administrative experience in healthcare. He holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Healthcare Administration and a Post Graduate Diploma in Dementia Studies from the University of Bradford in Bradford, England.