Dementia facts for kids
Dementia is a group of illnesses that affect how people think and act. It often happens when the brain is damaged or has a disease. People with dementia might have trouble with their memory, speech, and how they move. Sometimes, their personality can change too.
A key difference with dementia is that people lose skills and knowledge they once had. For example, someone might forget how to do a task they used to do every day. Dementia is more common in older people. Some types of dementia can be treated to a certain extent. The most common type is Alzheimer's disease, which causes about half of all cases. Other types include vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia.
Famous people who suffered from dementia include Augusto Pinochet, a leader from Chile, and Rosa Parks, a civil rights activist.
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What Happens with Dementia?
Dementia can cause changes in many areas. People might find it harder to:
- Make decisions
- Understand what is right or wrong
- Know the time or where they are
- Solve problems
- Talk clearly
Changes in Behavior
People with dementia may also show changes in their daily actions. They might need help with things like:
- Eating meals
- Getting dressed
- Keeping up with their hobbies
- Doing everyday chores around the house
- Their personality might change, leading to unusual reactions or trouble controlling their feelings.
Can Dementia Be Cured?
Some types of dementia are reversible. This means the damage can be fixed, and the person might get better. Other types are irreversible. This means the damage cannot be undone. Irreversible dementia is usually caused by illnesses that have no cure, like Alzheimer's disease.
Reversible dementia can sometimes happen after injuries to the head or brain. Doctors call this a Traumatic brain injury.
Related Topics
Images for kids
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A drawing of a woman diagnosed with dementia
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A drawing of an old man diagnosed with senile dementia
See also
In Spanish: Demencia para niños
