The mind is a complicated thing. Even after decades of research, much of its functioning remains a mystery to the top scientists of the world, which is not the case with most of the organs in the body. As a result, common mental disorders may be difficult to manage. 

One of the worst ones out there is dementia. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with dementia, or if someone who's had dementia for some time is not responding to their normal treatment, you might be wondering about all the different approaches for treatment. Keep reading to find some of the most useful developments in the last few years to treat dementia. 

  • Medications

There are tons of medications out there that are used to treat dementia. The different classes include cholinesterase inhibitors and disease-modifying drugs. There's also another drug named Memantine which has been getting a lot of use in recent years. Cholinesterase inhibitors stop the function of a special enzyme in the body called cholinesterase. This enzyme works on the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, destroying it and making it nonfunctional. This is normal in a healthy individual, and it's needed to regulate brain activity, but in dementia patients, neurotransmitters are usually low, so these drugs show some benefits. Memantine works on glutamate, another neurotransmitter, decreasing its availability in the body.

  • Mental stimulation

Keeping sharp is all about stimulating the brain, and keeping dementia patients sharp is one of the best ways to not only treat their condition but also improve their quality of life. Mental stimulation comes in the form of things that will make the patient think, like puzzles, board games like chess, or word problems. Reading has also been proven in some cases to improve cognitive function. It allows the path of the neurons to fire more effectively and can improve memory, behavior, and the patient's mental state and outlook on life. 

  • Behavioral management

One of the most common reasons caregivers have difficulties with loved ones suffering from dementia is that there are a lot of sudden changes in behavior once symptoms begin to show. One of the benefits of early detection of dementia is that by using behavioral management, this personality change can be averted or controlled. Behavioral specialists work with patients and caregivers to educate them about the challenges of this disease and show the patient how to control their emotions and handle things better. Their way of communication and compassion has helped patients greatly in many cases. This will make things easier for you and your loved one, as there will be less tension in the air and less sudden agitation or depression.

  • Reminiscence therapy

Reminiscence therapy is a relatively new invention that has shown great benefits in the lives of the patients who subscribe to it. In this kind of therapy, patients are encouraged, either in a group session or one on one with a counselor, to share details about their life, especially their strongest memories and biggest achievements, along with objects and pictures that accompany those memories. This enhances their ability to recall and stimulates the brain. This therapy goes a long way to forming a clear identity of oneself in the brains of these patients again.

  • Palliative care

Dementia is a difficult disease to manage, and sometimes, despite your best efforts, things can get out of hand. If you feel that the person you're caring for has reached a state that they can't come back from and that you're not able to give them proper care, consider palliative care. These professionals ensure that your loved one will get as much care, love, and respect as possible and will be completely comfortable in their final days. 

Conclusion

Dementia is one of the most harrowing and difficult-to-manage diseases in the world. If someone you love has been suffering from it, know that because of the limited information scientists have about this disease, treatments may not work like they're supposed to. 

However, all this means is that different patients will respond better to different kinds of treatment. The mind is a complicated organ, and it's different for everyone. You should try out all of the treatments listed in this article to see which one works, or just mention them to your doctor.