A Unique Challenge: Caring for an Individual with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease

Image by FreePik

By Margie Avezuela Perez

Updated April 1, 2024

Dementia can be thought of as the umbrella term encompassing these various types of dementia.

There are many different types:

• Frontotemporal dementia

• Vascular dementia

• Lewy Body dementia 

• Wernicke-Korsakoff dementia 

• Other types of dementia 

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia. Each type of dementia has its own differing issues such as the hallucinations and delusions associated with Lewy Body Dementia. There are language difficulties (aphasia) or inexplicable rage that comes with frontotemporal dementia. Oftentimes, you must learn a whole new language when it comes to managing the difficult behaviors of someone living with dementia. During a hallucination or delusion, you cannot change their reality but instead need to join with them in their new reality. For example, the use of techniques such as emotional validation, distraction and redirection can be most helpful in the midst of a vivid delusion. 

One of our most beloved and vulnerable populations are the older adults who are our moms, dads, partners, and friends. To undertake this caregiving is true dedication and takes much grit and stamina. Help and support are out there and just learning where to look and who to contact can be most effective. Seeking out professional therapy can absolutely help with caregiver stress and burnout as well.