Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, or make decisions that interfere with everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Although dementia mostly affects older adults, it is not a part of normal aging.

Dementia is caused by damage to brain cells, which interferes with their ability to communicate with each other. When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behavior, and feelings can be affected.

The brain has many distinct regions, each responsible for different functions (such as memory, judgment, and movement). When cells in a particular region are damaged, that region cannot carry out its functions normally.

The management of dementia involves addressing the needs of individuals in both the early and later stages of the condition. This includes focusing on social and environmental factors as well as physical and psychological aspects. In the early stages, the main management tasks include helping the person with dementia and their family to accept the diagnosis, improving their current quality of life, and planning for the future. In the later stages, management involves maintaining the person’s identity, addressing behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, making decisions on their behalf when they are no longer able to, and providing end-of-life care for those who are increasingly frail and have limited ability to communicate. Throughout all stages, it is important to prioritize respect and effective communication, while providing personalized care for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.