Dementia – the disease of forgetting!

Worldwide, someone develops dementia almost every three seconds. In Germany alone, that's approximately 1.7 million affected. Dementia is one of the most common diseases among older people.

Demenz – die Krankheit des Vergessens!

Worldwide, someone develops dementia almost every three seconds. In Germany alone, that's approximately 1.7 million affected. Dementia is one of the most common diseases among the elderly. And it's the disease many people fear most: their own life and their own surroundings suddenly become foreign. What was once familiar and easy suddenly becomes an insurmountable obstacle. And at some point, their partner and children become mere strangers.

Simply forgotten or already demented?

The risk of developing dementia increases with age. Only about three percent of people between 70 and 75 are affected. Nearly one in four people over 85 suffers from dementia, and more than one in three people over 90. When a person with dementia dies, there's a 90 percent chance they were previously in need of care. Many of these people are cared for by their relatives at home. And this guide is designed specifically for you, as a family caregiver.

Dementia comes from the Latin word "without mind." Initially, the main symptoms of dementia are impaired short-term memory and limited retention. However, dementia is much more than a memory impairment.

Affected patients gradually lose the skills they have learned throughout their lives. They find it increasingly difficult to concentrate, are less attentive, and understand things more slowly and poorly. Often, they find it increasingly difficult to express themselves and understand the speech of others.

Disorientation is also a common problem. Some dementia patients experience a complete change in their personality because their perception, experience, and behavior change dramatically over the course of the disease. As a result, they may become less and less the person they once were.

Dementia begins gradually. Often, it's only in retrospect that the first symptoms of dementia appear. Forgetting a small thing that happened just yesterday, suddenly losing one's bearings during a usual walk. At first, those affected often still notice that they're changing. Often, out of shame, they try to hide their disabilities. To an outside observer, someone with Alzheimer's dementia may initially appear perfectly healthy, as memory gaps are often filled with imagination.

Not every minor attention deficit disorder in itself is necessarily a warning sign. However, it is important not to ignore the signs of dementia and to consult a doctor early. Often, Alzheimer's patients are reluctant to do so and rely on you as a caregiver. Only then can a diagnosis be made early and access to support services be facilitated.

Everyone forgets something sometimes. Maybe you just weren't listening properly, are emotionally stressed, or are tired and unable to concentrate. Forgetfulness increases with age: Just as the body deteriorates, the mind also becomes less fit and flexible. Although forgetfulness and confusion are the most well-known symptoms of dementia, they only appear in the later stages. For people with dementia, other factors are more important.

People with dementia don't simply forget; they can no longer absorb new information, plan ahead, or apply their knowledge in everyday life. Someone who forgets their phone number or the food on the stove will eventually remember it. People with dementia may even forget that they cooked or forget to serve the food. They no longer know what the numbers on the piece of paper mean or what to do with them.