Dementia

Dementia and its effects are becoming commonplace in our lifetime, significantly so. Statistics regarding the prevalence of dementia document that it doubles every 5 years, beginning with 1% of the 60 year old population, increasing to and culminating with 32% of the 85 years and older population.

Dementia is the general term used for a number of diseases and disorders affecting brain in the aging population. The largest proportion of diagnosed dementia is Alzheimer’s disease which represents up to 90% of dementia in the United States.

However, there are three other types of common dementia that may require distinctly different medical treatment: Frontotemporal dementia, Lewy Body dementia and cardiovascular dementia. Early and accurate diagnosis is essential to the best prognosis and can be the answer to graceful aging. Inaccurate diagnosis for certain types of dementia can be a devastating and costly mistake.

At United Psychological Services we can:

• Ensure an accurate diagnosis using neuropsychological evaluation to separate out the various forms of possible dementia.
  
  
• Provide accurate diagnosis early in the disease progression to effect the best possible outcome through medical and brain/cognitive training interventions.
  
  
• Provide behavioral plans for treatment of the emotional problems sometimes associated with different types of dementia.
  
  
• Support and guide family members in planning for the future of the aged person.
  
  
• Provide a specific, individualized treatment program based upon the type of thinking problems identified in our assessment. This program is offered on-site as well as in the home setting. It has been quite successful in improving brain processes; especially memory and problem solving skills as evidenced in post-treatment evaluation. This program has proven helpful over time to aged individuals, particularly those diagnosed with dementia, experience graceful ageing.