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Writer's pictureWillow C.

LWML: Why a “Dementia” Diagnosis is not Good Enough.

Updated: Aug 20



Living with Memory Loss 10-Week Educational series


If you don’t know your loved ones type of dementia, we will discuss why this is vitally important to understand for successful future planning. We will go into the profiles of each type of common dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's, Vascular, Lewy Body, Frontotemporal, Substance Induced).


For instance, if someone has Alzheimer’s, at a certain stage they may tend towards being an ‘energizer-bunny’ and will have a hard time sitting still for long and are easily distracted. This may hinder them from sitting for meals for any length of time and they will get too thin/not take in enough food. It’s important to know this tendency, to make sure snacks are provided around the house for enough calories. This type also tends to be the ones that ‘wander’ because they are visually stimulated (aka – see door, open door; see path, take a walk ; see car, drive away). Again, this is important to know so preparations to keep your loved one safe can be implemented (e.g., confounding locks, house door alarms, car keys out of sight etc.). In comparison people with Vascular Dementia have a significantly differing profile that require cheerleading to do most tasks, due to this disease harming the initiative or 'get up and go' part of the brain.  Attend our in-person educational series to learn more in detail (see Classes page).


A Geriatric Nurse Practitioner with over 35 years’ experience in this field (and has owned her own memory care and clinic) will review what each type of dementia looks like, the symptoms, and how best to approach each ‘types’ behaviors. This is what she has learned ‘on the ground’ working with thousands of patients and residents with memory loss, not just text book descriptions.  After this class you may be able to guesstimate which type of dementia your loved one has, if you do not already know. And even more helpful, what to expect and plan for. 

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