Contributed by: Sandra Adams, CFP®
More and more of our clients and families are being impacted by dementia. What is it and how does it impact those diagnosed and those who are caring for them?
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. While it is believed there are over 50 different types of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease remains the most prevalent type, with an estimated 7.2 million people currently living with this specific type in 2025 according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
About 1 in 8 seniors has Alzheimer’s disease, and underdiagnosis remains a major issue. There are currently medications available to slow the progression of dementia, but there is no cure.
Most individuals with dementia are being cared for by family caregivers. Having knowledge about the signs and progression of different types of dementia can be extremely helpful to both the person with the disease and the caregiver. Planning ahead to make sure that the appropriate legal and care plans are in place in advance can relieve a tremendous amount of stress from everyone involved.
Realizing that the person with dementia is still the same person, just with a disease, is essential.
Dr. Paula Duren shared with us the 5 Foundational Care Concepts for Caregivers of individuals with dementia:
Everyone has basic human needs
You are the one with the healthy brain
Be a good detective
They may not remember your words but they will remember your spirit/energy
Know that every behavior is an effort to communicate
Dr. Duren of Universal Dementia Caregivers also teaches care strategies for caregivers about how to work effectively with those they are caring for. She also works with caregivers to care for themselves. After all, if caregivers are not healthy and strong, they cannot care for their loved ones with dementia fully.
Sandra Adams, CFP®, is a Partner and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional at Center for Financial Planning, Inc.® and holds a CeFT™ designation. She specializes in Elder Care Financial Planning and serves as a trusted source for national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Research Magazine, and Journal of Financial Planning.
This information has been obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, but its accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Raymond James is not affiliated with Dr. Paula Duren.