People with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias experience a range of symptoms. However, every individual is unique. The presence and severity of these symptoms vary greatly from person to person and can also change from day to day. Most symptoms change gradually over the progression of the disease.
Here are some examples of the different types of symptoms that people with dementia tend to experience.
- Changes in mood (for example, many people with dementia experience depression).
- Delusions and hallucinations are symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. With delusions or hallucinations, people do not experience things as they really are.
- Sundowning is a term referring to when someone becomes confused, anxious, aggressive, agitated, or restless later in the day.
- Responsive behaviours, which may include such things as agitation and aggression. These behaviours can often be particularly challenging for caregivers.
- Repetitive behaviours, such as repeating the same phrase or action continuously.
- Wandering and disorientation, which are a concern for many people with dementia and their families. Understanding why they occur and how to minimize them can be helpful.
For more information about these symptoms, please visit http://www.alzheimer.ca/en/bc/Living-with-dementia/Caring-for-someone/Understanding-symptoms and click on the links associated with each symptom to learn more.
