Understanding the Different Types of Dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term that describes many different conditions which affect the brain. Getting a dementia diagnosis is life-changing for you and your loved ones, which is why defining the type of dementia you have is incredibly important for identifying your symptoms and tailoring care to your specific needs.

In this blog, we’ll explain the causes and symptoms of the most common types of dementia and how home care services can help you maintain as much independence as possible during this time.

What Are the Different Types of Dementia?

To date, there are over 100 recognised types of dementia; however, some types are more common than others. Below, we’ve broken down the five most common types of dementia, so you can have a clear understanding of what to expect from your diagnosis.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a physical illness that starts several years before symptoms begin to show. Alzheimer’s Society have said that two out of three people diagnosed with dementia in the UK also have Alzheimer’s disease, making it the most common cause of dementia. Over time, it causes damage to the brain, affecting a person’s memory, thinking and ability to do everyday tasks.

The causes of Alzheimer’s disease are complicated, but a key aspect is a build-up of two proteins (amyloid plaques and tau tangles) inside the brain, which can disrupt communication between neurons and make it harder for the brain to function properly. The disease eventually shrinks part of the brain and reduces the amount of chemicals needed to send messages to different parts. Age, as with all types of dementia, is also a significant risk factor in developing the disease, with the chances of getting Alzheimer’s doubling every 5 years after turning 65.

We’ve broken down the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease into the early, middle and late stages:

Early symptoms: Short-term memory loss (forgetting recent events or conversations) Misplacing items Struggling to get certain words out Repeating themselves

Middle symptoms: Getting lost in familiar places Delusions Hallucinations Troubling sleeping

Late symptoms: Incontinence Trouble eating or swallowing Loss of speech Mobility issues/becoming increasingly susceptible to falls

Though every person’s experience with the disease is different, Alzheimer’s is usually a gradual condition that develops over a longer period of time.

Vascular Dementia

Despite being the second most common type of dementia, this particular condition is caused by different factors than many of the other types. Where other types of dementia are caused by abnormal accumulation of protein in the brain, Vascular dementia occurs when there is a reduced blood flow to the brain, typically due to a stroke or mini strokes. It can also be affected by other conditions, such as high blood pressure or heart disease. When the brain doesn’t receive enough blood, it cannot carry out its normal functions, including thinking, concentrating, or the ability to complete daily tasks.

Even though symptoms of Vascular dementia are unique to each person, common symptoms across the three key stages are:

Early symptoms: Issues with concentration Difficulty with decision-making Changes in mood, behaviour and personality Slower thought process

Middle symptoms: More pronounced and noticeable changes in mood, behaviour and personality Communication problems Memory issues Sundowning (increased confusion around the late afternoon and evening)

Late symptoms: Loss of recognition of loved ones or places Distressed and anxious behaviour Difficulty eating and drinking Difficulty with speaking, communication and understanding

The progression of this type of dementia depends on individual circumstances. In most cases, it is gradual, but if someone has a stroke, symptoms may come on suddenly.

Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)

This type of dementia can be mistaken for Alzheimer’s because of the overlap in symptoms, so getting an accurate diagnosis is essential for being able to manage the symptoms appropriately. Lewy bodies are abnormal accumulations of proteins in the brain, most commonly in the parts responsible for thought, movement, vision and sleep.

LBD is also an umbrella term for two types of dementia: dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s dementia, with the main difference being in the specific symptoms. Dementia with Lewy bodies brings about cognitive changes, whereas Parkinson’s dementia creates physical changes.

Defining the progression of dementia with Lewy bodies can be difficult, but typically, these are the symptoms that will present across the three stages:

Early symptoms: Struggling with complex activities like driving Visual hallucinations Losing concentration Sleep disturbances

Middle symptoms: Requiring assistance with personal hygiene and daily tasks Difficulty recognising loved ones and places Higher risk of falls and hallucinations Increasingly anxious

Late symptoms: Difficulty communicating Unable to recognise loved ones or surroundings Bed-bound, making them more susceptible to infections Difficulty swallowing

Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

FTD can be more difficult to diagnose and is frequently misdiagnosed as depression, work or relationship stress because it occurs in people between the ages of 45 and 65. Whereas most other types of dementia appear in people over the age of 65, a common misconception is that only elderly people can develop dementia, and the condition primarily involves memory problems.

Like most common types of dementia, FTD is caused by an abnormal build-up of proteins in the brain, in particular the frontal and temporal lobes, which control behaviour, language and organisational abilities.

There are four different types of FTD:

• Behavioural variant FTD – This impacts personality and mood.
• Primary progressive aphasia – This affects language instead of behaviour.
• Progressive supranuclear palsy – This damages the part of the brain controlling eye movement.
• Corticobasal degeneration – This is the rarest of the four, and causes parts of the brain to shrink.

The symptoms of FTD can be categorised into the following four groups:

Behavioural: Being impulsive Appearing unusually selfish Being unmotivated Struggling with personal hygiene

Cognitive: Struggling to plan or organise Being easily distracted Memory issues (this comes late in the disease’s progression)

Communication: Muddling words Speaking slower than usual Being unable to make the correct sounds when saying words

Motor: Being slower or stiffer Frailer or weaker muscles Struggling to swallow Problems with bladder and bowel control

Young-onset Dementia

This type of dementia only affects people under the age of 65, which means it includes FTD, too. Young-onset dementia doesn’t typically present with memory issues to start, which can often lead to misdiagnosing or ignoring the condition altogether. Although the causes of Young-onset dementia are not confirmed, it is more likely to be inherited. Risk factors, such as excessive smoking, drinking and high-fat diets, can lead to conditions like heart disease and diabetes, which are linked to different types of dementia.

Initially, younger people tend to suffer more cognitive and visual symptoms than memory loss, but this does depend on individual circumstances.

Early symptoms: Personality changes, like social withdrawal Difficulty concentrating Struggling to find the right words Getting lost in familiar places

Middle symptoms: Behavioural changes, like increasing frustration Gaps in long-term memory Requiring help with personal hygiene Difficulty following conversations

Late symptoms: Increased immobility Inability to recognise familiar faces or places Loss of speech Weakened immune system

How Does Home Care Help Different Types of Dementia?

Navigating the type of dementia you have, its causes, and symptoms is already an overwhelming task for you and your family. Being able to trust someone with expertise and training in managing your symptoms can significantly alleviate the additional stress of future-planning, all while remaining in the comfort of your own home.

Dementia home care services can help you manage your condition in many ways:

• Staying in your own home means you can maintain a consistent routine, which will help handle your cognitive and memory symptoms.
• An at-home carer can help you with personal care, including bathing, dressing, toileting and eating, should the time come when you require this help.
• Having home health care means a carer can be on hand to help you with daily tasks, such as food shopping and cleaning, as well as attend your medical appointments with you for support and advocacy.
• During this difficult time, sometimes a friendly face is the most important thing for your mental well-being. Companionship home care gives you the chance to receive expert care while engaging in conversations with someone who has been matched with you based on their skillset, background and similar interests.

Speak to Blossom About Expert Dementia Home-Care Support

At Blossom, we ensure that our carers are extensively trained to manage the symptoms associated with different types of dementia, regardless of the stage of the condition. We’ll create a bespoke care plan tailored to your needs, which can be adjusted at any time as your condition develops. We also make it a priority to support you and your loved ones throughout your diagnosis, personalising our services to suit your requirements.

If you have any concerns about the challenges posed by your dementia, or would like more information about dementia home care services, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.