Your memory loss has progressed, and it's become apparent it’s more severe than just old age. Then, the doctor gives you the dreaded diagnosis: DEMENTIA. It feels like receiving a death sentence.
At diagnosis, the patient often experiences a range of emotions like grief, loss, anger, shock, or disbelief, and very few feel relief at knowing finally. Many people become emotionally numb or go into denial. Worse yet, by the time a person’s symptoms have progressed to where they seek a diagnosis, the cognitive illness has usually been developing for many years prior, with Alzheimer's seven years before.
The increase of dementia has been at the forefront of the media worldwide, and most people fear getting it, especially the elderly. When it does become a reality, the person can easily fall into depression or hopelessness.
Dementia is not a disease; it is a series of symptoms, usually of a cognitive disorder, and can include more than just memory decline. Eventually, it affects thinking and reasoning, personality changes, and loss of emotional control. Ultimately, it prevents the person from carrying out their daily life and eventually leads to the need for 24/7 care.
However, a dementia diagnosis is not the end of medical testing. Now that dementia is
diagnosed, finding what's causing it is essential.
More than 50 different diseases and conditions are associated with dementia. Although Alzheimer’s is considered number one, vascular (strokes), Lewy Bodies, Huntington’s, Frontotemporal, and Parkinson’s are also common causes. Depression, alcoholism, and brain injury can also lead to dementia. Most dementia causes are incurable, but some are reversible. Thyroid disorders, B12 deficiency, depression, medication interactions, and alcoholism can create dementia symptoms and, in most cases, these are curable. It is so important to find out the cause; it’s not always incurable.
The person with dementia and their families often go into denial in the early stages and don’t want to address the situation. After all, the person is still functional and drives or lives independently. However, avoiding the problem until the dementia progresses is not advisable.
Knowledge is power, and learning as much as you can about dementia is essential. Even the scary stuff is vital to confront. To effectively plan for the future, it is crucial to understand how dementia can affect the person, the progression of the condition, and
how to address the situations that might arise. Share what you have learned with family
and friends.
When you learn about dementia, you won't have unrealistic expectations of the person's abilities. Helping them to stay independent and maintain a sense of control and dignity is important in these early stages. Treating the person with respect and always including them gives them a sense of belonging and helps reduce the risk of depression, which is one of the causes and can also escalate existing symptoms.
Hopeless can transform into personal empowerment with the emotional support of family, friends, and peers. It's essential to develop a support network.
Find a dementia support group where others with the same situation can share their feelings and experiences. The caregiver also needs a support group as part of their self-care. There are many online groups if you have none in your area. If you have an Alzheimer's Association in your area, often host support groups and provide information. Senior activity centers are also a good option for both.
Make regular appointments with your primary doctor or specialist. Here in Costa Rica,
we have a memory clinic at our geriatric hospital that offers various services, including
cognitive and physical therapy. Get psychological help from a therapist; emotional, mental, and physical health are important.
There is no shame in having dementia, so don't be afraid that others might find out. It’s
common; after diagnosis, the person starts to close down, refusing to do anything and not wanting to leave their house. This isolation is deadly as the lack of mental and physical stimulation increases symptoms. Stay active, learn something new, join a club or a social group.
Eat healthy, reducing or eliminating processed foods, red meat, and sugar. Stay hydrated; the brain is 75% water, and it adversely affects cognitive function if you don't take in enough.
For the person with dementia, this is not the end. Don't be afraid to learn about your condition and advocate for yourself as much as possible. Decide how you eventually want to be cared for and by whom.
My son offered to care for me if I ever get dementia, but I know he cannot. He has anxiety and a lot of childhood issues; it would be awful for both of us.
Search out treatment options. Some drugs help with cognitive function, especially in early to mid-stage dementia. They are not a cure but can slow symptoms for a while, sometimes a few years.
Plan for long-term care as soon as you can. If the loved one is to stay in the family home, eventually, the caregiver will need help. No one can do this alone 24/7; it will affect their physical and mental health. Even when you have decided on home care, it is
still good to investigate facilities to understand what they offer.
Make sure you have someone you trust to have a power of attorney, adjust your finances, and get automatic payment of bills. Declutter your home and abide by the "Everything in its place" rule, making finding things easier and reducing frustration.
For the person with dementia, this is not the end. Yes, dementia causes a lot of challenges, but it still is possible to continue to have a quality of life if you work at it.
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