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What is Dementia

Preliminary Diagnosis of Dementia
9 October 2024
Preliminary Diagnosis of Dementia

 Dementia is characterized by a gradual decline in cognitive functions, and it impairs memory, speech, comprehension, orientation in time and space, and the ability to recognize people and objects. As the disease progresses, the symptoms of dementia get worse, and cause a decline in the ability to perform activities of daily life (ADLs), as well as dependency on caregivers.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia (60%-70% of the patients). Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia (20%), caused by a damage to the brain’s blood vessels.

The disease consists of three stages. The nature of symptoms and the progression rate of the disease vary from person to person.

Dementia is characterized by a gradual decline in cognitive functions. Dementia impairs memory, speech, comprehension, orientation in time and space, and the ability to recognize people and objects.

Over time and as the disease progresses, the symptoms get worse. The patient suffering from dementia will experience a decline in the ability to perform activities of daily life (ADLs), such as driving, preparing meals, and managing finances. Later, there will also be a decline in more fundamental abilities, such as dressing, bathing, and mobility, as well as an added difficulty of an impaired communication with the environment. Additional symptoms of dementia may include behavioral disturbances such as anger, suspicion, and even violent outbursts. As the cognitive and physical functions decline, the patient suffering from dementia will require extensive assistance and become dependent on other people, family members or nursing caregivers.

Dementia prevalence

As of 2018, there were 120,000 dementia patients, men and women, in Israel. As life expectancy in Israel rises, it is estimated that by 2050 the number of dementia patients will triple.

According to our data, the incidence rate of dementia increases with age:

  • 1% - 2%
    1%-2% of dementia patients will get sick at the age 60-69
  • 5% - 10%
    5%-10% of dementia patients will get sick at the age 70-80
  • 30%
    30% of dementia patients will get sick at the age 85-90

Early onset of the disease in patients aged 60 and younger is rare.

Women have a somewhat greater risk of developing dementia than men: when compared by gender, it had been found found that 20% of all women, at different ages, suffered from dementia, in comparison to 15% of men.

  • 20%
    Women
  • 15%
    Men

The causes of dementia

There are several diseases that damage the brain tissue and cause dementia. The most prevalent is Alzheimer’s disease, which may contribute to 60–70% of cases. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a gradual functioning decline.
Approx. 20% of dementia patients have Vascular Dementia, which is a disease caused by damage to the brain’s blood vessels, usually following a stroke, haemorrhage, or blood illnesses.

To conclude, dementia with Lewy bodies affects 10%-20% of the patients and is characterized by changes in cognitive and behavioral functions, and later, by hallucinations and symptoms that mimic Parkinson’s disease (tremors, slower movements, and muscle stiffness).

Stages of the disease

Dementia is commonly classified into three stages. Each of these stages has different symptoms. The nature of symptoms and the progression rate of the disease vary from person to person.

  • Stage duration: the mild dementia stage lasts, on average, two to four years.
  • Function: at this stage the patient is quite independent.
  • Memory: the patient experiences short-term memory lapses, word retrieval impairment, as well as common objects. misplacement.
  • Orientation: the patient experiences difficulties in time and place orientation, and in driving.
  • Work and life: an impairment in complex task performance, such as work and financial capacity, etc.
  • Mood: the patient experiences mood swings, loses interest in leisure and social activities, and may become confused, and prone to depression and aggression.
  • Stage duration: this stage lasts, on average, two to ten years.
  • Function: at this stage there is a decline in functional independence, difficulties in performing basic activities, such as dressing. Moreover, there is a balance impairment and a fall risk.
  • Memory: short-term memory loss gets worse; longer-term past memory is preserved; the patient experiences a loss of the ability to learn or to process new memories.
  • Orientation: the patient experiences spatial orientation difficulties, difficulties in finding objects and placing them back.
  • Work and life: concentration difficulties, struggling to keep track of conversations and inability to make decisions.
  • Mood: the patient experiences extreme mood swings, sleep disturbances, suspicions, loss of interest in close people, and false beliefs.
  • Dangers: at this stage the patient may experience hallucinations and there is a risk of wandering (rare symptoms), therefore, the patient is prone to get lost.
  • Stage duration: this stage lasts one to three years.
  • Function: at this stage the patient experiences a decline in functional independence, comprehensive assistance in performing activities of daily life (ADLs) is required, and there is a decline in walking and mobility capabilities.
  • Memory: at this stage there is a substantial memory impairment, difficulty in recognizing objects and family members
  • Orientation: at this stage the patient experiences a substantial impairment in cognitive capabilities.
  • Work and life: this stage is characterized by indifference and apathy.

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