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Dementia is term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders to the brain. A person with dementia has problems with memory and thinking that usually get worse over time and make the brain stop working the way it should.
Sometimes dementia can be reversed if the problem is diagnosed early (e.g., poor nutrition, being around poisons or heavy metals, depression, problems with metabolism or hormones). Some causes of dementia damage the brain and can’t be reversed, such as:
Symptoms from dementia can cause problems with:
Quality of life is a big concern for people with dementia, as they’re slowly less able to live on their own and take care of themselves. They may not eat much, and families may wonder if giving fluids or supplements would help. Palliative and end-of-life care can help the person and their family decide:
Palliative and end-of-life care can help to: