The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Dementia can affect the functioning of many body systems and, therefore, the ability to carry out day-to-day tasks. Dementia may lead to several problems, including:

  • Inadequate nutrition. Many people with dementia will eventually reduce or stop eating and drinking. They may forget to eat or think they've already eaten. Changes in meal times or noise distractions in their environment may affect whether they eat.

    Often, advanced dementia causes you to lose control of the muscles used to chew and swallow. This may put you at risk of choking or aspirating food in your lungs. If this happens, it can block breathing and cause pneumonia. You also lose the feeling of hunger and, with it, the desire to eat.

    Depression, side effects of medications, constipation and other conditions also can decrease your interest in food.

  • Reduced hygiene. In moderate to severe stages of dementia, you'll eventually lose the ability to independently complete daily living tasks. You may no longer be able to bathe, dress, brush your hair or teeth, or use the toilet on your own.
  • Difficulty taking medications. Because your memory is affected, remembering to take the correct amount of medications at the right time can be challenging.

  • Deterioration of emotional health. Dementia changes behaviors and personality. Some of the changes may be caused by the actual deterioration happening in your brain, while other behavioral and personality changes may be emotional reactions to coping with the changes in your brain.

    Dementia may lead to depression, aggression, confusion, frustration, anxiety, a lack of inhibition and disorientation.

  • Difficulty communicating. As dementia progresses, you may lose the ability to remember the names of people and things. You may have trouble communicating with others or understanding others. Difficulty communicating can lead to feelings of agitation, isolation and depression.

  • Delusions and hallucinations. You may experience delusions in which you have false ideas about another person or situation.

    Some people, especially those with Lewy body dementia, may have visual hallucinations.

  • Sleep difficulties. You may experience sleep difficulties, such as waking up very early in the morning. Some people with dementia may have restless legs syndrome or rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, which also can interfere with sleep.
  • Personal safety challenges. Because of a reduced capacity for decision making and problem-solving, some day-to-day situations can present safety issues for people with dementia. These include driving, cooking, falling, getting lost and negotiating obstacles.
Preparing for your appointment Risk factors
References
  1. Dementia: Hope through research. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/dementias/detail_dementia.htm?css=. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  2. What is dementia? Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/what-is-dementia.asp. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  3. Shadlen MF, et al. Evaluation of cognitive impairment and dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 1, 2013.
  4. Hake AM, et al. Epidemiology, pathology, and pathogenesis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  5. Hake AM, et al. Clinical features and diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  6. Types of dementia. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/dementia/types-of-dementia.asp. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  7. Vascular dementia. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/dementia/vascular-dementia-symptoms.asp. Accessed Feb. 11, 2013.
  8. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/dementia/fronto-temporal-dementia-ftd-symptoms.asp. Accessed Feb. 11, 2013.
  9. Rodnicksky RL. Parkinson disease dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 11, 2013.
  10. Press D, et al. Prevention of dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Dec. 20, 2012.
  11. Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Jan. 28, 2013.
  12. Shadlen MF, et al. Risk factors for dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  13. Press D, et al. Treatment of dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Jan. 18, 2013.
  14. Press D, et al. Cholinesterase inhibitors in the treatment of dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 12, 2013.
  15. Press D, et al. Safety and societal issues related to dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 12, 2013.
  16. Press D, et al. Treatment of behavioral symptoms related to dementia. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Feb. 12, 2013.
  17. Eating. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-food-eating.asp. Accessed Feb. 11, 2013.
  18. The changing brain in AD. National Institute on Aging. http://www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers/publication/part-2-what-happens-brain-ad/changing-brain-ad. Accessed Feb. 13, 2013.
  19. Personal care: Assisting a person with dementia with changing daily needs. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-dressing.asp. Accessed Feb. 11, 2013.
  20. Communication and Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-communication-tips.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  21. Creating a daily plan. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/dementia-creating-a-plan.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  22. Early-stage caregiving. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-early-mild-stage-caregiving.asp. Accessed Feb. 13, 2013.
  23. Sleep issues and sundowning. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-sleep-issues-sundowning.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  24. Alternative treatments. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alternative_treatments.asp. Accessed Feb. 13, 2013.
  25. Wollen KA. Alzheimer's disease: The pros and cons of pharmaceutical, nutritional, botanical, and stimulatory therapies, with a discussion of treatment strategies from the perspective of patients and practitioners. Alternative Medicine Review. 2010;15:223.
  26. Buettner LL, et al. Animal-assisted therapy for clients with dementia. Journal of Gerontological Nursing. 2011;37:10.
  27. Being a healthy caregiver. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-healthy-caregiver.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  28. Taking care of yourself. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_taking_care_of_yourself.asp. Accessed Feb. 12, 2013.
  29. Caregiver stress. Alzheimer's Association. http://www.alz.org/care/alzheimers-dementia-caregiver-stress-burnout.asp. Accessed Feb. 4, 2013.
  30. Graff-Radford NR (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. March 4, 2013.
  31. Graff-Radford NR. Normal pressure hydrocephalus. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed March 4, 2013.
DS01131 April 16, 2013

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger