There are over 100 different types of Dementia, all of which gradually destroy brain cells and lead to progressive decline in mntal function. The most copmmon types of dementia are Alzheimer`s disease, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, though conditions such ass Huntington`s disease , Parkinson`s disease and MS may also include an irreversible dementia component.

Symptoms of dementia typically include; short term memory loss; disorentation; problems with language; difficulty sleeping; impaired judgement; progressive forgetfuöness; and rapid changes in mood and behaviour. In the final stages of severe dementia / Alzheimers disease, individuals often lose all ability to respond to their environment and need 24 hour care as the nervous system starts to fail the entire body and not just the memory.

Published: International Therapist-Issue 63-Mar/April 2005  

continue