2. Difficulty Planning or Solving Problems: The Cognitive Challenge in Mixed Dementia
People with mixed dementia often experience challenges when planning or solving problems. They may struggle with maintaining focus, especially on tasks that require sequential steps. Such tasks could include following a recipe or managing monthly bills.
This symptom stems from the damage to the brain’s frontal and parietal lobes, regions that control problem-solving and planning abilities. Both Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia can lead to damage in these areas, causing this symptom.
In Alzheimer’s, an accumulation of abnormal protein deposits known as amyloid plaques and tau tangles contributes to neuron death in these regions. In vascular dementia, impaired blood flow to these brain areas can cause similar cognitive issues.
This difficulty in planning or problem-solving could manifest in numerous ways, such as taking longer to perform tasks, having trouble remembering rules of a favorite game, or experiencing difficulty driving to a familiar location. It’s essential to pay attention to such changes, as they could be early signs of mixed dementia. (2)
