Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning – thinking, remembering, and reasoning — to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Some people with dementia cannot control their emotions, and their personalities may change. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for basic activities of living.
Dementia results from a variety of diseases and injuries that primarily or secondarily affect the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease or stroke. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60-70% of cases.
Treatment of patients with mild dementia should include strong encouragement to remain physically, socially and mentally active. Proper and timely diagnosis can minimize the dysfunction that accompanies cognitive loss.