Senility

Senility and dementia refer to a group of symptoms caused by brain disorders generally found in the elderly. The most common cause is Alzheimer’s disease followed by vascular dementia which is caused by problems in the supply of blood to the brain. That said, sometimes the simplest way of looking at senility and dementia is to recognize that they are one of the unfortunate results of growing old.

All forms of senility are progressive, which means that the symptoms will get worse over time. It can happen to anyone and there is currently no cure. But the most important thing to know is that treatments can slow the progression of the dementia effects of senility, and there are ways to manage it.

The best way is to recognize the signs and be aware of it early. It’s important that sufferers are given the right treatment and support, because when this happens many of them are able to lead fulfilling lives, which also helps family members, carers and others.

If you are worried about an elderly relative or someone close to you, here’s what to look for.

• Have you noticed they are better at remembering past events better than more recent ones? 
• Do they find it hard to follow conversations or what’s on TV?
• Do they seem more easily confused, depressed or angry about things?

These are all classic signs of senile dementia.

There is no cure for dementia and symptoms will get worse over time. However, there are a number of effective treatments, which include drug therapies, that can help people to cope better with their symptoms and improve their quality of life. These include drug therapies, of which there are any number, and a doctor will be able to recommend the best treatment after a thorough examination.

If you discover that a member of your family has problems related to dementia there are things you can do. Many people are happier if they can remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible. This can de done by making adaptations to the home, in the bathroom for example, and there is a whole range of specially adapted equipment available nowadays to make the physical challenges of living with senility and dementia a lot easier.