Understanding Executive Functioning in Dementia

🔍 Understanding Executive Functioning in Dementia 🔍

Welcome to today’s deep dive into the crucial role of executive functioning in dementia care. Have you noticed your loved one becoming unexpectedly forgetful or disorganized? They might be experiencing challenges with their executive functions, which can impact everything from cooking to scheduling. These functions act as the brain's "CEO," controlling our ability to plan, focus, and handle multiple tasks at once.

👇 Why Watch This Video? 👇

Learn the Signs: Identify early symptoms of executive dysfunction in dementia.
Get Practical Tips: Discover tools and tips to help your loved one manage daily challenges.
Understand the Science: Gain insights into the neuropsychological aspects of dementia.

#DementiaCare #Caregiving #ExecutiveFunctioning

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📜 DISCLAIMER: The content of this video - or any content by Dementia Careblazers - does not replace the need for healthcare professionals. Our content is not healthcare advice and is not a substitute for your own healthcare. It is for general education only. Do not use this content to self-diagnose or self-treat any health, medical, or physical condition. By consuming content from Dementia Careblazers, you agree to hold harmless and indemnify Dementia Careblazers LLC for any and all losses, injuries, or damages resulting from any and all claims that arise from your use or misuse of this content. All content or recommendations on the company’s website, social media, blog, or email series. All comments from Dementia Careblazers’ are expressions of opinion only.

👩‍🔬 I'm Dr. Natali Edmonds, a board-certified geropsychologist. (A clinical psychologist who specializes in working with older adults.) One day, while hiking a trail, I came up with the idea for Careblazers and I decided to see if posting videos online could provide help to the many other Careblazers in the world who don’t get to have help come directly to them in their homes. I hope that this work helps you in some way on your caregiving journey.
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It’s our mission to make dementia caregiving easier for families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, lewy body dementia, vascular dementia, or any other type of dementia. We believe that in order to create a more dementia friendly world, we must first create a caregiver friendly world. That's why we create free educational training videos like this one so that anyone with an internet connection can get access to dementia care information.
#careblazer #dementia #dementiacare

[DementiaCareblazers]

Explore our Care Course for personalized support, live Q&As with dementia experts, and a supportive caregiver community:

[kathleenconnolly]

I observed my mom's decline sooner than anyone else in my family. No one wanted to believe me, excuses were made for her behaviour. I was going over every day to help. Now I am her full time caregiver. This is such a sad disease for everyone. It steals the caregivers life more than the one with dementia. Get help and make arrangements to have your loved one cared for so you can have a life.

[susanniciejewski]

My husband was recently diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia with Parkinsonism traits. He was always the main driver and paid the bills (he has a PHD in physics) so he was always so precise when paying bills and keeping a ledger until about a year ago when he started having difficulties. He was having a hard time concentrating while driving and started to pay the same bill twice. We had him formally evaluated with a neurophysiologist and found that he tested poorly in his executive functioning. Thank you for your insight and knowledge on this subject. I believe it’s better to be informed and since I’ve had the diagnosis for my husband I have found some different ways that are helpful on everyday living. Ex…not to overwhelm him with too many tasks at once, slow down on my speaking, leave notes to remind him of important things. Now I’m paying the bills and I’m the full time driver.

[patsybehm]

This started so subtly in the beginning with my husband. He would clean the lawn mower by dropping the deck and not be able to put the belt back on the pullies using the diagram. He would be so frustrated. I would say, Just walk away and then he could do it the next day. I finally realized he needed a mower that has a lift deck to clean. Then he had trouble doing the steps to lift the deck. Step 1, 2, 3 to lift and 3, 2, 1 to lower. He could not do it. Then I noticed he couldn't balance his check book. Or fill out his calendar. Then it was the phone, the remote and the computer. Cooking was very difficult for him. He decided not to get his drivers license at this point, he didn't want to hurt anyone. He is so full of grace. Now he can no longer do anything. He is totally dependent on me.

[calledtosuccess]

My LO diagnosed with FTD definitely has trouble with executive functioning. At one point his socially inappropriate words and behavior became such a big problem that he has chosen to limit the places he goes and the length of time away from home in order to avoid causing trouble. He doesn't understand why people get upset with him. Later, when he finally grasps the situation, he's embarrassed, ashamed and mortified by his actions. He was always such a kind-hearted extrovert before this disease. Now he's fearful, anxious, and stays home 98% of the time. He doesn't want to interact with but a handful of people. It's sad. 😢

[celiaerickson]

Thank you so much for all of your information and tips! I have learned that I can only give my husband one thing to think about at a time. He is still semi independent so he can still do simple things, but the instructions have to be simple, written down, and one job at a time. And sometimes I have to get him started. We live and learn…C Erickson

[vzeimen]

This really hit home with me when my mom who was still golfing, dancing, had a social life and was still doing all her own bills, shopping etc. She wanted to have friends over to celebrate a birthday and I was going to help her. She couldn't put together what we would need to purchase for food for the luncheon. I'd say, well if we have chicken salad, what would we need to buy and she could not figure it out. Then there were unpaid bills and she started going to the grocery store and purchasing one or two things like angle food cake and cookies but no real food. Now I do everything for her.

[christinaharris]

Yes my dad has this symptom. But because he was living on his own when his dementia was first coming to light it required outside intervention to get him tested. And I feel behind the eight ball so to speak in learning what is going on with him and how to deal with it. So yes your videos help tremendously.
I was given your card by Dad's neurologist and while there is no money in my budget for your personalized help, I greatly appreciate you videos, emails and website.
You have taught me soooo very much. Thank you.

[CrankyGrandma]

Some of these behaviors I’ve had all my life.

[AnaTorres-qcbv]

My husband diagnosed 5 years ago with Alzheimer’s he us now age 69. We learned of it through testing with a numerologist, 4 different ones to be exact (we were answer shopping). He was driving at the time and ran our home finances, ect… It has been a long road of learning and still learning, not just about Alzheimer’s but learning and taking on the tasks my husband did so effortlessly while maintaining my own tasks. Being at peace with where he is now in his journey and just being together and enjoying every moment together rather than trying to bring back the person he was a few short years ago has helped me. I was recently told he is in severe stage - whatever that is. So far he can walk in mornings about a mile, splash in pool so that does bot seem sever. He is unable to complete sentences or take in what is being said to him exactly but we manage. He still smiles and makes me smile.
I hope to learn when and how to transition to depends-several accidents also how to start to ask to help him since he is having trouble. Thanks for your content.

[sl]

My Dad has dementia. He refused to continue care with the neurologist, and my step-mom is not empowered to take the reins. Like most people, she does not know how to deal with it, and I have tried telling her that it will cause him anxiety when she (constantly) tries to correct his "wrong" answers. I have asked to to please NOT correct him when he is having a conversation with me because I do not care if he says the same thing 10 times or if he says something that did not happen. She does not have access to the internet, but I would love to help her access this information that she desperately needs for her sanity and my dads overall health.

[maryannehill]

This information is very helpful. My husband has been diagnosed ( age 67) with mild cognitive impairment and our family has noticed his decline. I am interested in your views on diet and cognitive function, as I have been following Dr Georgia Ede and Amy Burger who has an excellent book The Alzheimer’s antidote. I feel we need more cohesion among specialists.

[miumama]

Now I understand why my hubby, who has FTD, repeats a routine day after day. He is panic when I take him to see new things.

I am glad that I make things as simple as possible and let him stay with his routine.

Thanks for let us know about this executive functioning.

[louiserecktenwall]

My husband had a right frontal brain tumor the size of an orange. We were confused how that could be possible with only slight symptoms.
Funny smell and funny feeling in his head. Turned out to be an oligdendroglioma and only partially removed during first surgery and massive radiation.
After nine years there was new growth and a second surgery was required. Now almost all of his right frontal lobe is gone and he functions at about the level of a five year old. So sad. I recognize every one of these issues and he is pretty much reduced to remaining at home and smoking marijuana all day. Thank God it’s legal here or he would be in a care facility. I still look for help with some chores I am not able to do and am disappointed every time. So hard to break old habits. When he was first diagnosed we were told the reason we did not notice any massive changes in function was that the right frontal lobe was a silent area of the brain. Yeah right. I feel so disserved by the medical professionals. They did not inform us at all. We went into this blind. Not that we would have done anything differently but it sure would have been nice to know what to expect. Thank you for your useful
Information and God bless all the people dealing with this issue.

[anneturner]

My husband has it is called Frontotemporal Dementia…I was told that it is the result of mini-strokes in the brain.

[nicoletandy]

My husband was recently diagnosed with FTD but symptoms have been for many years. We were trying to figure it out, it just seemed to be so many other things. Everything you said is 100% spot on. So hard and heartbreaking. Thank you for the little card idea. I’ve been saying I wish I had a sign I could hold up to explain to people, especially in public when we’re around strangers. Thank you. ❤

[anncoxwell]

Thank you for this information! I’m starting the journey with a friend whom we suspect has dementia. She’ll undergo testing short and is very anxious and resistant. The battle is “I’m not stupid. They think I’m stupid.” I just hope we can get past the first steps!

[sandylummus]

Yes, my LO has shown this problem for a few years but it is growing. Not just planning, finances but more noticeable now in cooking and out with people. Saying quiet things or thoughts outloud without any remorse. Thank you for your training. ❤

[margesherman]

Thank you for this information. My husband definitely is experiencing this issue.

[shellz]

My husband showed trouble with executive function from the onset. He has vascular dementia. The tips you gave I use and they are very helpful! Thank you Dr.Natali for your kind & helpful lessons. You’re amazing.💕