Caring for a loved one as they age is both a blessed responsibility and a significant challenge, particularly when facing dementia. As an adult child, you want to support your aging parent to the best of your abilities. Yet right after the diagnosis, it might feel as though you’re grasping at straws, not understanding the condition or how to care for it.
Becoming familiar with the biological factors of dementia will point you toward the right path and guide you toward informed decisions; once you understand what causes dementia, you’ll also feel more empathy.
We know that the brain is a complicated organ; many call it “nature’s marvel.” So, let’s start at the beginning: the brain’s components.
The Brain’s Vital Components and Their Functions
The brain is the command center for all bodily functions, with three main parts: the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem.
- The cerebrum, largest in size, governs higher functions like reasoning, emotions, and memory.
- Frontal lobe: Located in the front of the head, this lobe is involved in personality, decision-making, movement, and speech. It helps control behavior and emotions.
- Parietal lobe: Located in the middle of the brain, this lobe helps with identifying objects, understanding spatial relationships, and interpreting pain and touch.
- Temporal lobe: Located on the sides of the brain, this lobe is involved in memory, language, musical rhythm, and some smell recognition. It also processes auditory information and forms memories. The temporal lobe is where the hippocampus is located. It plays a key role in short- and long-term memory, spatial memory, and learning.
- Occipital lobe: Located in the back of the brain, this lobe is involved with vision.
- The cerebellum, though smaller, plays a critical role in motor control, coordination, precision, and balance, allowing smooth and coordinated movement. It works subconsciously, refining actions initiated by the cerebrum.
- There are three functional areas of the cerebellum – the cerebrocerebellum, the spinocerebellum, and the vestibulocerebellum. The cerebrocerebellum is involved in planning movements and motor learning.
- The brainstem connects the brain to the spinal cord. It governs essential life functions such as heartbeat, breathing, and sleep cycles. It acts as a conduit for all neural signals traveling between the brain and body, ensuring survival and homeostasis in the human body.
The cerebral cortex, its outermost layer, covers most of the brain.
The Biological Factors of Dementia, From Dr. Sandra Petersen
Dr. Sandra Petersen, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC, PMHNP-BE, FAANP, is the Senior VP of Health and Wellness at Pegasus Senior Living. Her recent presentation, “Dementia’s Impact on the Brain: Focus on the Hippocampus, Frontal Lobes, and Temporal Lobes” highlights the biological causes of dementia and the challenges the condition poses.
- With Alzheimer’s, abnormal protein buildups in the brain form amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles, triggering inflammation, disrupting cell-to-cell communication, and potentially leading to cell death. Amyloid plaques form in the neocortex, allocortex, hippocampus, and amygdala.
- Small blood vessel blockages that reduce blood flow to the brain cause vascular dementia.
- Dementia with Lewy bodies is related to Lewy body protein buildup.
- Frontotemporal dementia results from nerve cell loss in the frontal and temporal lobes.
Conditions like Huntington’s disease or Parkinson’s disease might also contribute to the development of dementia. Other potential biological causes of dementia include neurotransmitter imbalances and genetic mutations.
The Symptoms of Dementia
After discussing what causes dementia, Dr. Petersen also summarized the symptoms of dementia. Damage to these areas of the brain from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia can appear as:
- Mood changes.
- Short-term memory loss and creating new memories.
- Decision-making.
- Holding a conversation.
- Navigating familiar places.
- Following instructions.
- Losing things.
- Forgetting answers to just-asked questions.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of motivation.
- Decreased inhibition.
- Reduced empathy.
- Sundown syndrome.
- Compulsive behaviors.
- Getting lost and wandering.
- Anxiety and depression.
With degradation occurring in these areas, an individual’s capacity to manage everyday tasks, make critical life decisions, or even handle simple challenges becomes profoundly diminished.
Creating Environments for Enhanced Quality of Life
Understanding the cause of dementia empowers caregivers to create plans to boost their loved one’s brain health. Design elements, such as clear signage, contrasting colors, and familiar decorations, assist those with memory loss in navigating their world with dignity. Spaces promoting physical activity and social interactions can provide cognitive benefits, supporting overall well-being.
We also encourage healthy living through diet and exercise to reduce these risks. Monitoring cardiovascular health—blood pressure and cholesterol—also addresses the factors involved in Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Pegasus Senior Living Supports Residents and Family Members
In our memory care communities, residents retain individuality and are entitled to a life of meaning, wellness, and vitality. We provide a secure environment and targeted programming while highlighting meaningful life skills and individual talents. The emphasis is on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Dr. Petersen inspired our Connections program, which focuses on:
- Engaging the Emotions
- Encouraging Movement
- Challenging the Brain
- Supporting Socialization
Supporting brain and mental health means forging strong bonds with family members as well. Our caregivers have specialized dementia training and equip families with practical tools to engage meaningfully with loved ones. We will teach you how to foster moments of connection and joy— for whatever form of dementia your family is facing.
Let Us Guide Your Loved One’s Cognitive Journey
Contact us today to schedule a visit to one of our communities and learn how Pegasus Senior Living makes life easier, healthier, and more fulfilling for our residents and their families.