People with moderate dementia may describe cognitive symptoms such as: losing track of conversations, not listening, slow thinking. Geriatrician Alisa Gotina, chief physician of the Senior Group rehabilitation center for the elderly, told socialbites.ca.
“You can also add statements like these to the list: I don’t remember where I put the things; distraction; during a conversation I may forget what was said to me at the beginning of the conversation; My brain feels foggy; I can’t remember names and dates; I don’t remember what date and year today is; I get distracted most of the time; loss of confidence; I can’t decide anything. This is how patients with moderate dementia describe their condition,” Gotina said.
According to the doctor, moderate dementia is manifested by a decrease in both instrumental and basic decision-making abilities.
“For example, there is difficulty in performing daily tasks and routine tasks, personal hygiene is not paid attention to, and there is indifference to appearance. Problems may occur in orientation to time and place, for example, the person may forget the days of the week, his location, or get lost in his usual environment. “Most of the time, there are difficulties in living independently, but the patient can be left alone for a while,” he said.
Additionally, according to Gotina, at this stage memory impairments and behavioral changes become noticeable to others, and neuropsychological tests reveal changes in one or more areas.
“At the same time, the patient’s social and daily activities can often be carried out independently. In severe forms of dementia, daily autonomy is completely lost; the person needs assistance with almost all activities. Therefore, it is important to take care of yourself and your loved ones, notice changes in behavior and character in time and consult a doctor. “The earlier the diagnosis is made and drug treatment is started, the higher the chance of getting a positive result,” he said.
Previously in Russia was created Device that restores speech and swallowing function after stroke.