Dementia
By Joan Weems, RN, Victory Home Health, Texoma LIVING WELL Magazine
Dementia is not a normal part of the aging process, although it is common in elderly individuals. Dementia describes a group of symptoms affecting intellectual and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning. Dementia indicates problems with at least two brain functions, such as memory loss along with impaired judgment or language. Dementia can make someone confused, unable to remember people or names, or experience changes in personality and social behavior. In addition to diseases that can cause dementia, doctors have identified other conditions that can cause dementia-like symptoms including reactions to medications, metabolic problems and endocrine abnormalities, nutritional deficiencies, infections, poisoning, brain tumors, conditions in which the brain’s oxygen supply is either reduced or cut off entirely and heart and lung problems.
Different types of dementia exist; however, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type. Usually dementia gets worse over time. How long this takes is different for each person. Some people stay the same for years, while others decline rapidly. More often, however, people suffer with Alzheimer’s disease for about nine years. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. For those ages 65 and over, one person out of eight suffers from dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, this has tripled healthcare costs. Women are more susceptible than men, and half of all nursing home residents suffer from Alzheimer’s or related disorders. Eventually, the dementia patient becomes physically helpless, incontinent, and unable to communicate entirely.
Memory loss is generally the first symptom to be noticed; but memory loss alone doesn’t mean a person has dementia. Memory loss goes hand in hand with getting older. It’s completely normal for an older person to walk into the kitchen and occasionally wonder, “Now, why was I coming in here again?” But if your mother is coming home from the supermarket empty-handed because she couldn’t “find anything” on her grocery list, or if she keeps her cleaning supplies in the fridge, pay attention. These may be signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
The Alzheimer’s Association gives these 10 warning signs: (For more details, visit alz.org).
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s, one forgets recently learned information.
- Challenges in planning or solving problems.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
- Confusion with time or place. People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and time.
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. They may have difficulty reading and judging distance. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not recognize their own reflection.
- New problems with words in speaking or writing. They may stop in the middle of a conversation or repeat themselves.
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing.
- Decreased or poor judgment. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities.
- Changes in mood and personality. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious.
Often the caregiver for a dementia patient gets totally worn out and needs help. Medicare pays for some short-term, in-home medical help like home health for patients that are homebound and have a skilled need. A physician must prescribe these services. But it won’t pay for long-term custodial care for home health nor in nursing home facilities. Medicare will pay for hospice care for the dementia patient, but only in the very last stages when they are unable to ambulate, unable to dress themselves, unable to bathe, unable to communicate meaningfully, and suffer from incontinence of the urine and bowel and have an unintentional weight loss of greater than 10 over past six months.
Early diagnosis provides the best opportunities for treatment, support and future planning. If you have questions about any of these warning signs or need help concerning dementia, consult your family physician or give us a call at 888-815-7922. A nurse is always available to help you.
