19 / 78
T H E C A R E G I V E R ’ S T O O L K I T
19
CHAPTER 2
DEMENTIA & SAFETY
What is dementia?
It is the deterioration of a person’s ability to
think, remember and reason. It may cause changes in personality,
mood and behavior. A person with dementia may have difficulty using
common objects, finding the right words and following directions.
'HPHQWLD LV QRW D GLVHDVH EXW D VHW RI V\PSWRPV FRPPRQ WR FHUWDLQ GLVHDVHV $O]KHLPHU¶V /RX
*HKULJ¶V GLVHDVH DOVR NQRZQ DV $P\RWURSKLF /DWHUDO 6FOHURVLV $/6 DQG 3DUNLQVRQ¶V GLVHDVH DUH
among the many conditions which cause dementia. The mental impairment gets worse over time.
Individuals in the later stages may wander from home, forget to eat, and lose the ability to care
for their most basic needs. Some conditions, such as depression, thyroid disorders, poor nutrition,
infections, and alcoholism as well as reactions to certain medications may cause dementia-like
symptoms. In these cases, proper diagnosis and treatment may be able to reverse the symptoms.
Forgetfulness or Something More?
Harford County Department
of Community Services
2I¿FH 2Q $JLQJ
Helpful Links:
www.harfordcountymd.gov/services/aging www.dementia.com