Senile Dementia

Senile dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and cognitive abilities to the extent that it interferes with the affected individual’s daily life. Dementia is not a specific disease, but a consequence caused by several different conditions.

Senile dementia represents a reduction or complete loss of cognitive functioning—thinking, memory, and reasoning—to the extent that it disrupts an individual’s daily life and activities. The personality of someone suffering from dementia can change beyond recognition, in addition to forgetting past events and not recognizing immediate family members.

The condition progresses gradually—in the initial stages, it affects an individual’s functioning, and later, as the primary disease develops, the affected person becomes entirely dependent on others for basic daily activities, such as eating or personal hygiene.

Although it can occur at younger ages, dementia most commonly affects people older than 65 years (approximately one-third of all individuals aged 85 or older have some form of dementia). Despite the condition’s frequency in later years, dementia is not a normal part of aging.

What are the symptoms of dementia?

Dementia occurs as a result of changes in specific parts of the brain, causing nerve cells to weaken, lose connections with other nerve cells, and die. Although nerve cells naturally die as part of aging, in people with dementia, this loss is incomparably greater, resulting in the characteristic symptoms of the disease:

Memory loss, poor judgment, and confusion
Difficulties with speaking, understanding, and expressing thoughts
Difficulties in reading and writing
Loss of balance and mobility issues
Wandering and getting lost even in familiar areas of the city where the person has always lived
Problems with responsible money handling and bill payments
Repeating questions
Inability to name familiar objects
Slower performance of previously routine daily tasks
Loss of interest in daily activities or events previously enjoyed
Hallucinations or paranoia
Impulsive reactions
Lack of interest in other people’s feelings

How does dementia affect daily life?

Problems with short-term memory, a key symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, can greatly impact many aspects of daily life. But dementia can take much more from affected individuals than memory alone.

Each person’s experience with dementia is different and unique, as are the symptoms of this condition, but for many individuals, everyday activities such as grocery shopping, paying bills, and arriving at agreed locations become challenging and require support.

Over time, as dementia worsens, the affected person will need assistance with basic daily activities such as eating, dressing, and maintaining personal hygiene.

Dementia is a progressive condition. As the diseases causing dementia advance, symptoms worsen, and affected individuals will likely require assistance with even the most basic activities, which were previously taken for granted. Initially, the affected person may need reminders to bathe or assistance with hair washing, while in more advanced stages of dementia, the individual may not be able to bathe independently without help.

Senile Dementia and Nursing Home Accommodation

Changes in daily functioning can be distressing both for the person living with dementia and their loved ones and close family members.

No matter how independent and capable the person was in earlier life stages, an individual experiencing symptoms of senile dementia cannot safely live alone, and family members may feel emotionally and physically exhausted trying to maintain the illusion of normalcy.

Additionally, a person living with dementia requires 24/7 supervision and assistance, which can be impossible for working family members, leading to guilt and remorse.

Moving to a nursing home in such cases is a solution that meets the needs of the person with dementia and their family members. Vila Košuta Nursing Home welcomes individuals with senile dementia, and its staff has extensive experience in caring for dementia patients.

Life in a nursing home will improve daily life for both parties involved:

The affected individual is under 24-hour supervision and receives all necessary assistance with daily activities—medical check-ups, therapies, eating and drinking, sleep schedules, personal hygiene, and social activities with other nursing home residents.
Families can also find relief from uncertainty and concern, knowing the person with dementia is safe, well-cared for in a pleasant environment, and supported by professional staff.

In some cases, the affected individual may be able to decide independently about moving; if mental capacities are impaired to the extent of impaired judgment, the decision is made by family members or guardians.

Advantages of living in a nursing home for people with dementia

If you are looking for accommodation for a person with dementia, you may feel guilty about not being able to provide adequate care. You are not alone—many family members feel the same way. However, you should remember that accommodation in Vila Košuta Nursing Home will improve the quality of life for the affected individual, as you will see for yourself.

Here are some of the advantages of living in a nursing home for dementia patients:

The affected person will have 24-hour support and assistance from professional and caring staff.
A nursing home is a safe environment where the person with dementia will be under constant supervision, without the risk of getting lost or injured.
Social activities in the nursing home will keep the person with dementia active, offering opportunities to socialize and spend time with people of similar age.
The affected person will live a healthy and orderly lifestyle, including nutritious food, cooked meals, physical activity (if the physical condition allows), time spent outdoors, regular personal hygiene, etc.
The family can regularly visit the affected individual and ensure the nursing home staff is conscientiously and responsibly caring for them. Additionally, the family can obtain information on the resident’s condition from professional staff at any time, either personally or via phone.

Aging brings numerous challenges, and senile dementia is just one of them. However, illnesses and their symptoms are not a reason for daily life to halt—for either the affected individual or their family members. At Vila Košuta Nursing Home, all residents are provided with dignified living conditions, regardless of their health status and physical capabilities. Visit us and see for yourself.