What is Dementia?

This section is dedicated to sharing the research and understanding that guide our approach to dance for dementia care. Dementia isn’t just about memory loss—it's a progressive neurological condition that affects thinking, behavior, and daily functioning. Through careful research, I've explored how dementia impacts the brain and how meaningful activities, like dance, can support cognitive and emotional well-being.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is responsible for 60-80% of dementia cases and leads to cognitive decline and loss of independence.

Symptoms

Memory Loss

Dementia often causes difficulty remembering recent events, conversations, or familiar names, which can disrupt daily life.

Depression

People with dementia may experience persistent sadness or withdrawal, partly due to awareness of their cognitive decline.

Decreased Mobility

Dementia can affect coordination and balance, leading to slower movement, unsteady walking, and a higher risk of falls.

Delusion

Individuals may develop false beliefs, such as thinking others are stealing from them, due to confusion and misinterpretation of reality.

Neurological Basis of Dementia

AD is caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors that affect the brain over time. These trigger a buildup of proteins in the brain, which damages and kills neurons. Some types of protein buildup include:

Cholinergic Hypothesis: Malfunction of acetylcholine neurons.
Amyloid Hypothesis: Beta-amyloid accumulation disrupts communication and triggers inflammation, leading to brain cell destruction.

Dementia damages neurons and disrupts communication between brain cells.

These are some brain regions affected by dementia:

Hippocampus – Memory and learning (most impacted by Alzheimer’s).
Cerebrum – Thinking, problem-solving, emotions, and movement.
Cerebellum – Balance and coordination.
Brainstem – Breathing, heart rate, and automatic functions.