Dementia is a general term for a large class of disorders

The Human Memory has an informing website about dementia.

Dementia is such an all-enveloping label that it symptoms can include some or all of the following: personality change, depression, hallucinations, memory loss, paranoia, misidentifications, mania, aggression, agitation, irritability, wandering, incontinence, overeating, changes in walking patterns, sudden laughing or crying, screaming and many others.

What is age-related memory loss?

What’s Normal, What’s Not, and When to Seek Help

HELPGUIDE.ORG, a trusted guide to mental & emotional health takes a look at memory loss and the progression of age.

“The brain is capable of producing new brain cells at any age, so significant memory loss is not an inevitable result of aging. But just as it is with muscle strength, you have to use it or lose it. Your lifestyle, health habits, and daily activities have a huge impact on the health of your brain. Whatever your age, there are many ways you can improve your cognitive skills, prevent memory loss, and protect your grey matter.”

Source website: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/alzheimers-dementia-aging/age-related-memory-loss.htm

Coping with Caregiver Stress and a Family Member with Memory Loss

According to a publication by Mount Carmel, a medical facility dedicated to providing the best in patient-centered care – “…’Caring for the caregiver’ becomes a key issue when a family is affected by dementia.”

 

 

There are stages to Grief and Loss

Some may say that there are more than five stages (denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance) of grief and loss as described by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, MD, in her groundbreaking book On Death and Dying (1969).

However, according to Recover-from-grief.com/7-stages-of-grief website, there are seven stages of grief and loss:

Here is the grief model called the 7 Stages of Grief:

• SHOCK & DENIAL- You will probably react to learning of the loss with numbed disbelief. …
• PAIN & GUILT- …As the shock wears off, it is replaced with the suffering of unbelievable pain.
• ANGER & BARGAINING- …Frustration gives way to anger, and you may lash out and lay unwarranted blame for the death on someone else.
• “DEPRESSION”, REFLECTION, LONELINESS- …Just when your friends may think you should be getting on with your life, a long period of sad reflection will likely overtake you.
• THE UPWARD TURN- …As you start to adjust to life without your dear one, your life becomes a little calmer and more organized.
• RECONSTRUCTION & WORKING THROUGH- …As you become more functional, your mind starts working again, and you will find yourself seeking realistic solutions to problems posed by life without your loved one.
• ACCEPTANCE & HOPE- …During this, the last of the seven stages in this grief model, you learn to accept and deal with the reality of your situation.