Understood Care
Dementia is a general term for conditions that affect memory, thinking, reasoning, personality, and behavior. These changes are strong enough to interfere with everyday life, such as paying bills, managing medicines, or finding the right words in conversation. It is more common with age, especially after 80, but it is not a normal or expected part of getting older.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It leads to progressive damage in the brain over time. Health care teams describe stages to help you understand where you or your loved one is on the journey and what to expect next. These stages can guide planning, but the experience is still very individual.
Most types of dementia cannot be cured. That means there is currently no treatment that can completely stop or reverse the disease. At the same time, there are medicines, therapies, safety steps, and support services that can ease symptoms, maintain independence longer, and improve quality of life.
Memory changes are often the first thing people notice, but dementia affects much more than memory. You may also see:
These changes touch every part of life. That is why support needs to go beyond memory and include emotional health, day to day tasks, safety, relationships, and financial and legal planning.
If you or someone you love has just been told “you have dementia” or “you have Alzheimer’s disease,” it can feel devastating. Many people describe feeling shocked, numb, afraid, or overwhelmed. You might think about all the stages ahead and wonder how you will manage each one.
Caregivers often feel:
These reactions are common. National caregiver research shows that caring for someone with dementia affects both physical and emotional health, and caregivers have higher risks of depression, sleep problems, and chronic stress.
You may also notice what Debbie describes in the video on this page. There can be moments of clarity and connection that feel almost like “the old times.” Those moments are real and meaningful, even if they do not last. It is natural to feel hopeful when these moments appear and heartbroken when symptoms return.
At the same time, you do not have to carry this alone. There are medications, safety strategies, support groups, in home services, and advocacy programs that can help you keep a loved one at home as long as it is safe, or help you transition to a higher level of care when needed.
Several medicines are used to treat memory and thinking symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease and some other dementias. They do not cure dementia, but they can help some people think more clearly, stay more independent, or slow down changes for a time.
Common medicines include:
These medicines can:
They cannot:
Side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, slow heart rate, or feeling lightheaded. It is important to review all medicines with your clinician and to report new or serious symptoms promptly.
In recent years, newer treatments called monoclonal antibodies have been approved for certain people with early Alzheimer’s disease. One example is lecanemab. These medicines target amyloid, a protein that builds up in the brain, and they may slow the rate of decline in thinking and function in some individuals.
These treatments:
They are not right for everyone, and they still do not cure Alzheimer’s, but they may be an option in early stages. A dementia specialist can explain the possible benefits, risks, and insurance coverage in your situation.
People living with dementia may also have depression, anxiety, sleep problems, or strong behavior changes. Clinicians sometimes prescribe antidepressants, sleep medicines, or other drugs to help with these symptoms. These can be useful, but they need careful monitoring, especially for older adults who may be more sensitive to side effects like falls, confusion, or heart rhythm changes.
Always tell your clinician about every prescription, over the counter medicine, vitamin, or supplement you or your loved one takes. Never stop or change a medicine dose without medical guidance.
Many families notice that a person with dementia has good days and harder days. Sometimes there are brief periods of clear conversation, shared stories, or humor that feel like a “window opening.” Other times, confusion and forgetfulness are more obvious.
These ups and downs do not mean you did anything wrong, and they do not mean the disease has suddenly gone away. Dementia can fluctuate from day to day, or even hour to hour, especially when someone is tired, stressed, or ill. Cherishing the clearer moments while planning for ongoing support is an important part of this journey.
Many families, like Debbie describes in the video, want to keep their loved one at home as long as possible. The right mix of safety steps, routine, and support services can make that more realistic and safer.
Home can be adapted to reduce risk and make daily life easier. The National Institute on Aging recommends steps such as:
A simple, predictable daily routine can also lower anxiety and confusion. Regular times for waking up, meals, activities, and bedtime help the day feel more manageable for everyone.
You do not have to handle all care tasks on your own. In home support can include:
The National Institute on Aging and other expert organizations emphasize that early use of support services can reduce caregiver burnout and help people with dementia stay at home longer.
Understood Care advocates can help you explore in home care options and understand what may be covered through Medicare or other insurance. You can learn more about how advocates coordinate home support on the Understood Care Home Care page: https://understoodcare.com/care-types/home-care understoodcare.com
Dementia affects social life too. People may withdraw because they feel embarrassed or overwhelmed. Yet social connection is a key part of emotional health for both the person with dementia and the caregiver.
Helpful community options can include:
Mayo Clinic’s dementia wellness and education programs and the Alzheimer’s Association caregiving resources highlight the value of education, peer support, and specialized programs for both patients and caregivers.
Understood Care advocates can also connect you with social and community support that fits your needs and preferences. You can read more about this type of help at: https://understoodcare.com/care-types/social-support
Home may be the best place when:
Debbie’s message in the video is that with the right support, many people can remain at home through multiple stages of dementia. That support includes both practical help and a caring “shoulder” for you as a caregiver.
There may come a time when care needs go beyond what is safe at home. Warning signs can include:
Cleveland Clinic and other leading centers recommend talking with clinicians, social workers, and care teams early about options such as memory care units, assisted living, or nursing homes, as well as home based palliative and hospice care.
These decisions are emotional and complex. You do not have to make them alone. Care teams and advocates can help you weigh safety, quality of life, finances, and your own health.
It is common to focus on the person with dementia and forget your own needs. Yet research from the National Institute on Aging and MedlinePlus shows that caregivers who do not take care of themselves are more likely to become sick, depressed, or burned out, which can make caregiving much harder.
Taking care of yourself is not selfish. It is essential.
Helpful steps include:
In the video, Debbie says “we can provide that support, we can provide that shoulder.” Emotional support matters just as much as practical help. It is okay to cry, to vent, and to say “this is hard.” You deserve care too.
Understood Care advocates are trained to support caregivers as well as patients. They can listen, organize steps, and help you feel less alone while you navigate a complicated system.
Understood Care focuses on the whole picture, not just memory tests or medicines. Our clinicians and advocates can help you and your care partner understand the diagnosis, plan for each stage, and coordinate the many pieces of care that come with dementia.
You can learn more about the care model here: https://understoodcare.com/healthcare-info/how-our-care-team-assists-you understoodcare.com
After a new diagnosis, it is easy to leave the clinic with more questions than answers. Understood Care clinicians and advocates can:
For more detail on this type of support, visit the Alzheimer’s disease advocacy page: https://understoodcare.com/care-types/alzheimers-disease understoodcare.com
Dementia care almost always involves several clinicians, tests, and services. Understood Care can:
Dementia affects finances, benefits, and social life. Advocates can:
Perhaps most important, your advocate is a consistent person you can turn to when things feel too heavy. As Debbie shares, we can help you through moments of lucidity and through the hard days, offering both practical guidance and compassionate support.
Reach out for extra help if you notice any of the following:
You can:
If someone has sudden confusion, new weakness on one side, chest pain, trouble breathing, or thoughts of self harm, call emergency services right away.
This content is for education only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always talk with your clinician about your personal care plan. If you have sudden confusion, new weakness, chest pain, trouble breathing, or thoughts of self harm, call emergency services right away.
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