What You Should Know About Dementia

According to the World Health Organization, more than 55 million people worldwide have dementia.

Dementia is a large umbrella term that can be used to describe several diseases affecting memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily activities, with Alzheimer’s being one of the most common forms of the condition.

Teresa Whitfield, RN, Director of Adult Behavioral Health, Northwest Specialty Hospital, an Extension of Northern Nevada Medical Center, provides insight on early warning signs, risk factors, and services available to patients.

What are early warning signs of possible dementia?

Sometimes, changes in mood and behavior will occur before any issues related to memory will manifest. The signs include personality changes, withdrawal from work or social activities, and showing less interest in other people’s emotions. While these behavioral changes may occur first, they can sometimes be harder to spot or attributed to an external hardship.

Some symptoms may be more noticeable by family members or close friends as they relate to daily activities and memory. This can include forgetting to pay a bill or not remembering how to return home from a familiar place. As symptoms worsen and the condition progresses, symptoms can become more obvious to those around the individual struggling with dementia.

What are risk factors for dementia?

While dementia is a condition that can be caused by several diseases that impair the brain’s function, the most common risk factors include:
• Age – Dementia is more common in those 65 years and older
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Being physically inactive

What services are available to patients with dementia?

Northern Nevada Medical Center currently offers various services, and there will be additional services available at Northwest Specialty Hospital when the facility opens in early 2025. If a patient’s condition has progressed to the point where they may need to be admitted to an inpatient facility for additional support, they may receive various types of care, including medication adjustment management, metabolic testing, and symptom management.

Learn more about current behavioral health services