What is dementia?

Written By Judy King

Dementia is an umbrella term. It is a group of symptoms. These symptoms then cause the person to require assistance with everyday activities, like bathing and dressing. There are many reasons a person may develop dementia. Here are a few of the most known: Alzheimer's Disease, Fronto-temporal Dementia's, Lewy Body Disease and Vascular Dementia's.

Other Dementias:

Posterior Cortical Atrophy (PCA)

Metabolic diseases-Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) - associated dementia

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)-associated dementia

Genetic syndromes: Huntington's Disease (HD)

Infectious diseases (e.g., Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; CJD)

Toxicity: induced by long-term exposure. Such as: Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS; Alcohol induced dementia)

Methamphetamine induced

There are four truths about dementia:

  • at least 2 parts of the brain are dying

  • it is progressive

  • it results in death

  • it is not curable

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So what do we do about it? The person Living with dementia is going to change, they have NO Control over it. The one thing we CAN control is how WE react to it.

How are YOU going to change to meet their changing brain? You are doing it right now!! Educating yourself on what it means and how it is affecting them.

Judy King

Welcome to Arms of Grace Respite Care, llc. My name is Judy, and I am deeply passionate about supporting care partners who walk the challenging yet rewarding path of caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia. With over 16 years as a business owner and a lifetime of varied experiences, I’ve cultivated a heart-centered approach to care that emphasizes compassion, understanding, and empowerment.

My journey has been shaped by firsthand experience with conditions such as Parkinson’s, primary progressive multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer’s, and common geriatric issues.

To better serve care partners, I pursued CNA training and furthered my education through Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care, which provides invaluable insights into brain changes in those living with Alzheimer’s. I remain committed to staying informed, reading current research on Alzheimer’s disease weekly, and volunteering at an assisted living community I previously worked at. I provide a Chair exercise program that promotes Neuroplasticity. It is named Ageless Grace(timeless fitness for the body and brain).

Beyond my professional life, I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and someone who finds joy in the outdoors, crafting, and helping others. I am here to guide you with compassion and practical tools to navigate the complexities of caregiving. Together, we can ensure that you and your loved one feel supported every step of the way.

https://livewithdementia.com
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