Dementia is "a syndrome-usually of a chronic or progressive nature-characterized by the deterioration of cognitive function (i.e., the ability to process thought) beyond what might be considered a consequence of normal aging (World Health Organization, 2020).
What are its symptoms?
Dementia manifests itself differently according to the stage at which the person is situated (World Health Organization, 2020):
- Early stage: forgetfulness, spatial dislocation and loss of temporal notion are frequent. It is common that these symptoms are not given enough importance as they are considered mild.
- Intermediate stage: carelessness or omissions are more severe, including forgetfulness of recent events and names of relatively close people. Functioning in activities of daily living, such as dressing and grooming, decreases and support is required. Difficulties in communication and orientation within the home are present.
- Late Stage: symptoms are even more severe and there is more dependence. There is difficulty in recognizing familiar people, mobility is limited and there are changes in temperament with a tendency to aggressiveness.
What happens to the family of the older adult diagnosed with dementia?
The family must undergo a reorganization to adapt to the condition of the loved one who has been diagnosed with dementia, such as strengthening family unity, negotiation of roles and functions of each of the members (Sanchez and Bilbao, 2018).
It should be noted that the family must cope with grief related to the diagnosis and the fact of witnessing the symptoms and the decline of cognitive and physical abilities (Cáceres and González, n. d.). It is advisable that family members receive some type of therapeutic support to adapt to the new family dynamics and increase knowledge regarding dementia that will allow them to debunk myths and address the older adult in a sympathetic manner.
Bibliographic references:
Cáceres, R. and González, N. (s. f) Psychosocial realities in the families of people with dementia: Approach from Systemic Family Therapy. Caser Foundation for Dependency.
Custodio, Nilton, Montesinos, Rosa, & Alarcón, Jorge O. (2018). Historical evolution of the concept and new diagnostic criteria for Dementia. Journal of Neuro-Psychiatry, 81(4), 235-249.
World Health Organization (2020) Dementia. Retrieved from: https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
Sanchez, N. and Bilbao, D. (2018). Family dynamics of patients with Alzheimer's disease before and after disease onset. Pensando Psicología, 14(24).
