Follow
Share

Does cognitive loss get worse with time?

Find Care & Housing
I found the book, The 36-hour Day, by Nancy Mace, MA and Peter Rabins, MD extremely helpful. My husband suffered from dementia for over 10 years. The first 8 years, I saw gradual decline. The last 2 years, he declined rapidly. The last 6 months, he was in a MC facility - I was no longer able to keep him safe at home. It's a very sad journey. I'm praying for you, Penguin, that God will give you wisdom while walking this hard path with your loved one. ❤️
Helpful Answer (9)
Reply to WearyJean
Report
tvdavis Jul 4, 2024
Another vote for the 36 Hour Day! I’m meeting a friend for lunch today and giving him a copy of that book to help him and his mom with his dad who has Lewy Body dementia. I’ve given away so many copies that I should start buying them in bulk. It’s a fantastic resource that told me more about cognitive decline & how to cope than any of my husband’s three neurologists ever did!
(3)
Report
See 1 more reply
Always. It NEVER gets better, only worse.
You may want to start educating yourself about the horrible disease of dementia, so you are better prepared for what lies ahead.
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to funkygrandma59
Report

If you are talking about any of the forms of dementia then yes the cognitive loss will get worse.
There are medications that can slow the progression but they can not repair the damage already done nor will the medications stop the progression.

If you are talking about cognitive loss due to a concussion, the cognitive issues should lessen over time but it may take a year. And there may not be a complete return to the "baseline".

If the cognitive loss is due to a stroke that may also improve but the stroke may be due to Vascular dementia and if that is the case there may be many mini strokes that go unnoticed or undiagnosed. Vascular Dementia can worsen literally over night. It might be that the person was able to walk yesterday but can not walk today, or could feed themselves yesterday and not today.
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to Grandma1954
Report

PRINT OUT FOR REFERENCE

"Over time, the disease causing the dementia spreads to other parts of the brain. This leads to more symptoms because more of the brain is unable to work properly. At the same time, already-damaged areas of the brain become even more affected, causing symptoms the person already has to get worse."

Below is from:
https://carehomeselection.co.uk/7-stages-signs-of-dementia-what-to-look-for/#:~:text=Stage%20seven%20is%20the%20final,dressing%2C%20bathing%2C%20and%20toileting.

Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) is an assessment tool used to determine which stage of dementia a person is experiencing. The tool is used as a rough outline to determine the best course of care or treatment for the person diagnosed with dementia. While not everyone will experience the same symptoms there is a 7-stage progression most individuals will follow.

These 7 stages are then categorised by 4 diagnosis, No dementia, early-stage dementia, mid-stage dementia and late-stage dementia.

No Dementia, Stages 1-3 

Stage 1 – In this stage there are no signs of dementia. The person functions normally and there are no signs or symptoms.

Stage 2 – Very mild cognitive decline. In this stage people start to experience ‘normal’ forgetfulness. This is sign is normally associated with aging resulting in loved ones and professionals not noticing the underlining cause.

Stage 3 – Mild cognitive decline. In this stage, loved ones may begin to notice the increase in forgetfulness, difficulty in concentration and speech difficulty. This is the final stage in this category prior to the onset of dementia.
Early-Stage Dementia, Stage 4

Stage 4 – Early-stage dementia. In this stage, professionals can detect cognitive decline problems during a patient appointment. The person will begin to have trouble concentrating, performing daily tasks such as finances, increase in forgetfulness and memory issues.

Mid-Stage Dementia, Stages 5-6

Stage 5 – Moderately severe cognitive decline. In this stage, signs and symptoms will be easy to identify. The person will have major memory issues and they will now need assistance with daily living activities.

Stage 6 – Severe cognitive decline. In this stage the symptoms of dementia will be having a profound effect on the individual. They will start to forget names and have little memory of events or earlier memories. In this stage the individual will have personality/ emotional changes, bladder control issues and anxiety.
Late-Stage Dementia, Stage 7 

Stage 7 – Very severe cognitive decline. Stage seven is the final stage of the dementia progression. At this stage, most people will have no ability to speak or communicate. They will require assistance with most daily activities including walking, dressing, bathing, and toileting. This stage requires 24-hour care and assistance.

Gena / Touch Matters
Helpful Answer (5)
Reply to TouchMatters
Report

PRINT OUT FOR REFERENCE

Lots of information available (on how the brain changes due to dementia).
You might want to buy a book. Or call

See this website:

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/how-dementia-progresses/symptoms-brain

In part, it says:

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia has a wider and more variable range of symptoms than the other types of dementia. It is caused by a range of different diseases of the blood supply to the brain.

Sometimes vascular dementia follows a major stroke, in which a large area of tissue on one side of the brain dies because the blood supply is suddenly cut off. Symptoms are often seen in problems with planning, concentrating and thinking or memory. In addition, the person may be left with weakness down one side of the body or problems with vision or speech. With rehabilitation, some degree of recovery may be possible.

Vascular dementia can also follow several mini-strokes over time. Each mini-stroke creates a small patch of dead brain tissue, called an infarct, in the cortex. Early symptoms can be very specific to where the tissue is lost. For example, problems with episodic memory can be caused by an infarct in the hippocampus, and problems with executive function can be caused by an infarct in the frontal lobe.

A different kind of vascular dementia, called subcortical vascular dementia, follows disease of the small blood vessels deep in the brain. This disease often causes widespread damage to white matter beneath the cortex. These nerve fibres carry signals between different parts of the cortex, including the frontal lobes. A person with subcortical vascular dementia will therefore often have slowed thinking and problems with executive function.

Frontotemporal dementia

In all forms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), the frontal and/or temporal lobes shrink. The different sub-types of FTD - which affect the person's behaviour and language - reflect different patterns of damage.

In behavioural variant FTD, the areas of the brain affected early on are in the frontal lobes.

Damage to the upper-middle surfaces of the frontal cortex is linked to becoming withdrawn and losing motivation.

Damage to the front under-surface is linked to losing inhibitions, meaning the person might make inappropriate comments, for example.

Damage to the frontal lobes may also mean the person repeats the same word, phrase or action over and over again. It is important to appreciate that none of these things are done by choice.

Gena / Touch Matters
Helpful Answer (4)
Reply to TouchMatters
Report

Yes, dementia is progressive.
Helpful Answer (3)
Reply to lealonnie1
Report

PRINT OUT FOR REFERENCE

Look at this website:

https://www.dementiasociety.org/

Dementia Society of America

In part, it says:

We are Here to Help --- Our programs bring much-needed education, local resources, and life enrichment to individuals and families impacted by Dementia.

We recognize Dementia caregivers and innovators and raise HOPE by spotlighting relevant research to discover cures and causes and encourage early detection and meaningful interventions.

Dementia Society of America is your volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity serving the nation for all causes of Dementia, including:

Alzheimer's (AD), late & young-onset
Vascular Dementia
Mixed Dementia
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)
Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)
CTE, TBI, NPH, HIV, L.A.T.E. & others...

Do you need basic Dementia information?_________________

As a Voluntary Health Organization, we focus broadly on all forms of Dementia, sometimes also referred to medically as Major Neurocognitive Disorders (NCD). We have collected top resources from across the country and around the globe for you! We're like a Dementia association, Dementia foundation, and Brain Health resource center - all rolled into one. The Dementia Society of America is here for everyone.

Sign up for their newsletter________________________

Subscribe to Monthly eNews - By sharing these resources, we bring HOPE through education about what Dementia is and what it isn't and help people who live with Dementia continue to lead meaningful lives and support their care partners. 

Gena / Touch Matters
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to TouchMatters
Report

Dementia is progressive but if caused by a stroke than the brain improves as it heals and directs functions to other areas. Im no brain specialist but after my mom's major stroke we were told she would not move, eat or do anything besides watching blankly into space...so much of her left temporal love was damaged. This was not the case. After we took the hairy plunge of getting her off the respirator, things started improving, but it took a lot of dedication and patience, and honestly lots of, at least mine - life force, but there are plenty of benefits, memories and successes. After about a year we'd play soccer on the beach, go to restaurants and she'd climb 3 flights of stairs everyday at the age of 80. We'd read, write, paint, copy; watch movies, opera and theatre. Her speech never became clear or coherent, but meanings were construed, and we have been having 24 hours assistance since practicaly day one...and remember ... it takes a village to raise and old wo/man :) I just wish the rest of the world would realize that...but most dementia patients - millions of them around the world, fine men and women with experience and knowhow, mostly reduced to a brave demeanor to the world walk around us hidden from sight, for only those in the know to recognize...much like cancer patients btw, while the world gives far away kudos, or in other cases wants to call the police.
Now alas, things are not the same. We cherish happy moments and invest effort to help steer the ship on course. It's been 6 years now and if only I'd keep myself happy and active, whihc is hard in these parts lately, I believe we can have lots of fun still.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Yarivush
Report
Cruiseforever Jul 5, 2024
Lucky u to have 24 hr assistance. Most have none or very little and it's a very stressful life!
(6)
Report
Penguin13: Dementia does not improve.
Helpful Answer (2)
Reply to Llamalover47
Report

Also it can depend, if it's due to a bladder infection, and you meditate the infection., the absolutely. My mom has a sinus infection, that he thought was allergies, then when the sinus infection finally came to ahead and I got her in antibiotics, the decline statertd improving, slowly. But a definite improvement on her cognitive health .

Sometimes pain can make decline worse from lack of sleep or just the pain. And it can improve if you deal with the pain
Helpful Answer (1)
Reply to Anxietynacy
Report

See All Answers
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter