Understanding the different types of dementia
Dementia happens when brain cells are damaged. This can make it harder to think clearly, communicate, and manage daily tasks. Early symptoms help define the type of dementia, as each affects the brain in distinct ways.
- Alzheimer's disease often starts with memory problems.
- Vascular dementia can happen when blood flow to the brain is reduced, which may make thinking slower or planning harder.
- Lewy body dementia may cause seeing things that are not there, big changes in alertness, and changes in movement.
- Frontotemporal dementia usually starts with shifts in personality, behavior, or language instead of memory.
- Mixed dementia means more than one type of dementia is happening at the same time.
Signs of dementia to look for
Dementia can show up in many ways. A person may forget recent events, ask the same questions often, or have trouble finding the right words. They may also have a harder time following conversations, making choices, or doing familiar tasks. Dementia can affect daily life, mood, and behavior too.
Physical Signs
As dementia advances, daily tasks like walking, eating, and dressing become harder. Sleep issues, wandering, and falls may also increase.
Emotional Signs
Behavior or personality may feel different than before, and confusion, withdrawal, or irritability can become more common.
Behavioral Signs
People with dementia may also have trouble making decisions, planning, or managing familiar tasks, and might get lost in places they know well.
These changes may be subtle at first. A good indicator that support is needed is when a loved one has also noticed that your memory or thinking is different from before. If you’re still unsure, take this health screener, or please feel free to call us.
It's also important to check for other health issues that can affect memory and mood, such as depression, poor sleep, pain, infections, medication side effects, or high blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
Dementia care can help make daily life safer, calmer, and more supported. Care may include counseling, medication support, caregiver education, and help with daily routines.
If you are living with dementia or caring for someone with memory or thinking changes, we can help with therapy, medication support, care coordination, and caregiver support.
Caregivers need support too. Caring for someone with dementia can be rewarding, exhausting, and confusing all at once. Author Health helps caregivers understand what is changing, plan next steps, and connect with care and resources.
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Common questions about dementia
Here are some commonly asked questions about dementia and aging, but feel free to call us anytime to talk over anything on your mind.
"Dementia is an umbrella term meaning that someone is experiencing a decline in their brain functions that affects their ability to be independent in their personal affairs. Support, including medication management, varies by type of dementia. Often, patients are not diagnosed with dementia, not to mention the specific variety, leaving them and their families unsupported. Author Health is working to change that."
Other resources
Want more information? Check out our related resources.
Sundowning Syndrome: What is it and how caregivers can help
Sundowning is a pattern of increased confusion, agitation, and behavioral changes that happen in the late afternoon and evening hours. It is common in people living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. If symptoms or stress worsen, reach out to a doctor or virtual provider like Author Health for support.
How to talk to your loved one about getting their symptoms evaluated
If you’ve noticed changes in a loved one like irritability, confusion, or just acting out of character, it can be hard to know what to do or how to help. Here are some ways you can get the conversation started with someone you care for.
We're here for your story
Whether you are living with dementia or caring for someone with cognitive decline, it's hard to feel heard. Author Health provides thoughtful care centered on your needs so you can live with dignity. Give us a call, and our team will listen to how you've been feeling lately, talk through support options, check your coverage, and set you up with care that supports healing and steadier days ahead.