Understanding Dementia Progression: A Guide to the FAST Scale A dementia diagnosis can feel overwhelming, triggering questions about what to expect and how to prepare. One valuable tool used by caregivers and medical professionals to better understand and track the progression of dementia is the Functional Assessment Staging Tool (FAST). What Is the FAST Scale?
Communication Challenges are Common with Dementia – Here’s What You Can Do Caring for someone with dementia often means adjusting how you communicate – and that can be incredibly hard. Maybe you’ve answered the same question ten times in an hour. Maybe your loved one seems confused or agitated by things that used to feel
The 7 Stages of Dementia As you and your loved ones process a new reality after a dementia diagnosis, many questions may arise. Often families have many questions related to how quickly dementia progresses. Dementia progression varies significantly from person to person and can range from a few years to decades. Factors such as the
If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, you may notice some new behaviors that feel uncharacteristic of them. As memory and cognitive abilities shift, behaviors can shift as well. Some common changes include repetitive questions, resistance to personal care, sundowning (when confusion and agitation increases at the end of the day), and wandering.
A question we often hear from caregivers is, “How can I best support my loved one with dementia?” It’s common to feel uncertain about how to manage present challenges and figure out the best path forward for their care. This plan helps you support your loved one through dementia with intention and care. 1. Open
Is Dementia Hereditary? About Risk Factors Is dementia hereditary? Dementia is a complex condition with a multitude of contributing factors beyond genetics. Having a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s does increase your risk, but it does not mean you will develop the disease. Researchers have identified many factors that may contribute to developing Alzheimer’s and
Terms like “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” are often used interchangeably, but these terms represent distinct concepts: dementia is a broad category of symptoms affecting cognitive function, while Alzheimer’s is a specific, progressive brain disease. Knowing this difference helps you understand the diagnosis, find tailored care, and provide a better quality of life for your loved one.
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