Dementia posturing refers to a group of physical symptoms that can affect people with dementia. They include a stooped posture, shuffling walk, balance difficulties, or stiff movements.
Dementia affects the nervous system, leading to a range of mental and physical symptoms. Other potential signs include memory loss, mood changes, or difficulty thinking.
This article discusses what dementia posturing is and how the condition can affect posture and movement overall. It also discusses the available treatment options.
Dementia posturing refers to posture changes that can occur in certain types of dementia.
Posture is how the body positions itself when sitting and standing. Many factors can affect posture over time, such as excessive sitting or carrying heavy loads on the back. However, medical conditions can sometimes affect posture.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, those with Lewy body dementia experience movement difficulties, such as changes to their posture, that progress over time.
Lewy body dementia is a type of dementia in which protein deposits reside in the brain, resulting in changes in thinking, movement, behavior, and mood. It can affect the posture by:
- stiffening and slowing the movement of limbs
- causing trembling
- weakening the posture, resulting in a stooping back
- causing shuffling when walking
- causing difficulty in maintaining balance
A stooping posture due to dementia can result in falls that lead to injury.
Other types of dementia include:
The symptoms of dementia can vary among individuals and types of the disease. Besides common cognitive (thinking) signs, such as memory loss, judgment issues, and confusion, the potential physical signs of dementia include:
- taking longer to complete standard daily tasks
- losing balance and having issues with movement
- wandering and getting lost in a familiar neighborhood
Different types of dementia can all have varying physical signs.
- Alzheimer’s disease: According to the
World Health Organization (WHO) , Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60% to 70% of dementia cases, making it the most common type. While memory problems are the trademark symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, the condition can also cause difficulty with walking. - Vascular dementia: Vascular dementia has links to strokes or mini-strokes and accounts for around
5% to 10% of dementia cases. The condition may also cause physical symptoms, depending on which part of the brain the blood flow issues affect and to what extent. - Lewy body dementia: A person with this dementia type can have symptoms such as memory loss. They can also experience problems with movement and balance, such as stiffness or trembling, and other potential symptoms include difficulty sleeping and visual hallucinations.
All types of dementia are progressive and pass through different stages. Physical symptoms may be mild at first but can eventually severely affect a person’s movement.
Early stage or mild dementia
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At the early stage, a person may have issues with visual perception, making it hard to judge distances, such as when using stairs. This could result in tripping or falls.
Of the different forms of dementia, Lewy body dementia can lead to significant physical changes, even in the early stages. However, if a person with vascular or mixed dementia has had a stroke, they may also experience weak limbs on one side of their body.
Middle stage or moderate dementia
People with all types of dementia experience changes in their physical symptoms at the middle stage. This can include:
- difficulties with using the toilet
- agitation and restlessness, such as fidgeting or walking up and down
- greater difficulty moving
- reduced walking speed
- being less steady on their feet, increasing their risk of fall
Late stage or severe dementia
A person is likely to need a lot more support with daily living once their dementia has reached the late stage. This is partly due to the physical changes they experience. These may include:
- walking in a slow, unsteady shuffle
- an increased risk of falling
- spending more time in a chair or bed
- difficulty swallowing
- needing help to eat
- loss of bowel and bladder control
The Department of Health and Human Services offers various tips for helping loved ones or family members with dementia. A caregiver may try:
- encouraging the person to maintain a regular routine, which can include eating, washing, and dressing at the same time each day
- encouraging the person to do activities they enjoy, such as exercising or reading, and helping them plan those activities
- helping them maintain their independence by using to-do lists, notebooks, and calendars to organize appointments and events
- helping the person with dementia to feel as in charge as possible when doing collaborative activities
- aiming for consistency and familiarity, such as when doing activities
- helping the person avoid clothing that may cause issues, such as buttons, belts, and shoelaces, and opting for zips and elastic waistbands instead
- filling their surroundings with familiar objects and photographs that make them feel secure
- allowing them as much control over their life as possible and respecting their personal space
- avoiding dismissing or questioning them and listening openly to concerns and frustrations
Learn more about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
Dementia describes a collection of symptoms of cognitive decline, with memory problems being perhaps the most well-known. Some people, especially those with Lewy body dementia, develop what is known as dementia posturing.
Stiffness, stooping, and shuffling are all potential physical signs of the condition. Dementia progresses through early, middle, and late stages. Late stage dementia causes the most severe, life altering physical symptoms and increases the risk of falls.