Moderate Dementia due to Parkinson's disease
.Moderate Dementia Due To Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive and degenerative disorder of the nervous system, leading to movement problems such as slow movement, loss of balance, tremor, and other physical symptoms. In addition to these physical symptoms, many people with Parkinson’s disease suffer from dementia, which is a decline in cognitive functioning that is severe enough to interfere with daily functioning.
Dementia in Parkinson’s disease can range from mild to severe, depending on the individual and his or her symptoms. Moderate dementia is a more advanced stage of dementia caused by Parkinson's disease, and can include problems with memory, attention, organization, and understanding. People with moderate dementia may become increasingly confused, and have difficulty with activities that used to be easy.
Common signs and symptoms of moderate dementia in Parkinson’s disease include:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Difficulty forming and expressing thoughts
- Reduced ability to understand language
- Losing track of time
- Rigidity of thought and action
- Decreased problem solving ability
- Uncontrollable movements
- Lack of impulse control
- Decreased memory
- Difficulty with activities that used to be easy, such as understanding written information or using the telephone
- Impaired judgment
- Apathy and withdrawal
- Behavioral and personality changes
Management of moderate dementia in Parkinson's disease is tailored to the individual patient and depends on their particular needs. Treatments may include medications to improve memory, concentration, and mood; physical and occupational therapy to improve functioning; speech therapy to improve language skills; and social therapy to improve interactions with others. In some cases, the level of care required may exceed that which the patient's family can provide, and need to be transferred to a long-term care facility or nursing home.
It is important to recognize that Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease, and although there is no cure, early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression of Parkinson’s and its associated dementia, allowing people to live an independent life for as long as possible.