It’s everyone’s fear as they get on in years. We have a “senior moment”, forget where we put our keys and we panic thinking is it a “senior moment” or is it the beginning of Dementia or Alzheimer’s. It’s a frightening thought for anyone not only for themselves but for a loved one!! These neuro degenerative diseases begin years before we even notice them. We don’t even realize it’s happening until it hits us like a ton of bricks. Life with Alzheimer’s and Dementia is not an easy one, not for the patient or for the caregiver.
THE FEARS
These are all considered neuro degenerative diseases and are similar but oh so different in many ways. While you are sitting in a doctor’s office waiting for a diagnosis , you are terrified that it might be one of these horrible diseases. You know something is wrong but don’t know what. The moment comes and he confirms your deepest fears and your life has just turned upside down. Everyone has the same question? What stage am I at and what do I have to do to prepare for the inevitable. It will come to a point where I can’t walk, eat, talk, swallow, and will not know any of my loved ones anymore!!! How long will it be until that happens? So many questions, but no answers as these diseases are unpredictable. Life with Alzheimers and dementia is not an easy one.
I will clarify the different types of these diseases and also share the the help that is out there for the patient and the caregiver to help you get through this. Life with Alzheimer’s and Dementia is definitely not an easy one.
ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink (atrophy) and brain cells to die. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. It’s a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills that is going to affect a person’s ability to function independently. Approximately 5.8 million people in the United States age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s disease. Of those, 80% are 75 years old and older. Out of the approximately 50 million people worldwide with dementia, between 60% and 70% are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease.
The early signs of the disease include forgetting recent events or conversations. As the disease is progressing , a person with Alzheimer’s disease will develop severe memory impairment and will also lose the ability to carry out simple every day tasks.
Medications will temporarily improve or slow down the progression of the symptoms. These treatments will sometimes help people with Alzheimer’s disease maximize function and maintain independence for a time. Different programs and services will help support people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.
There is no treatment that is able to cure Alzheimer’s disease or alters the disease process in the brain. In advanced stages of the disease, complications from severe loss of brain function such as dehydration, malnutrition or infection result in death. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is non profit and based in New York City. They have offices in all areas. Their mission is to provide, support, services and to educate patients and caregivers affected by it.
DEMENTIA
Dementia is more complicated because there are different types of it. There is Vascular, Lewey body, Frontotemporal, Parkinson’s disease, Mixed Dementia, Huntington’s disease, Creutzfelt-Jacob Disease, Wernick-Korsakoff syndrome, Mixed Dementia, and Normal Pressure Hydrocepalus. This is what makes it so difficult to get a definitive diagnosis. A lot of tests will have to be taken comparing them along with the symptoms to differentiate them. Then still it is very difficult to make a diagnoses and takes time to make the right diagnosis. Patients sometimes will have to visit several doctors to get a diagnosis. What makes them different??
VASCULAR – this dementia follows a series of strokes or TIA’s
LEWEY BODY – this is caused by microscopic deposits of proteins that attach to the brain, mainly the cortex. It’s named after the scientist who discovered it. It’s also called a roller coaster ride as the symptoms very from day to day. Good days, bad days, on an off. It can also change in a matter of minutes.
PARKINSON’S DEMENTIA – if you have had Parkinson’s Disease, 50-80% of the time you will get this dementia, usually after about 10 years of having Parkinson’s Disease.
MIXED DEMENTIA – this is a combination of Alzheimer’s and Dementia
FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA – this dementia damages cells in the brain that control judgment, planning, emotions, movement and speech
HUNTINGTON’S DISEASE – this is a genetic effect passed down from family members and usually hits between 30-50
CREUTZFELDT-JACOB DISEASE – this form is rare and is caused when proteins called prions cause normal proteins to form abormally. This disease appears suddenly and progresses quickly
NORMAL PRESSURE HYDROCEPHALUS – this is caused by a fluid buildup in the brain and sometimes the fluid is drained from the abdomen
WERNICKE-KORSAKOFF SYNDROME – caused by a severe shortage of vitamin B-1. Heavy drinkers are more prone to this dementia.
RESOURCES & HELP
Dementia in itself is not a disease. It’s a syndrome that is common to several brain diseases. Similar to Alzheimer’s, the patient will have problems with their behavior, thinking, memory, and will have difficulty performing daily tasks. Medications will slow the progression in some patients, others not. With dementia, particularly Lewey Body, extreme caution has to be used when using medications as there can be severe reactions. There are support groups for Dementia. There’s the National Dementia Association for Awareness & Support and there is also the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Associations. All these non profit organizations are available and have offices in every state and offer support for the patient and their families.
Another great resource is Teepa Snow. She has many videos on you tube. She helps you as the caregiver to understand what’s happening and how to effectively handle the up and down behaviors of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Whether you have Alzheimer’s or Dementia, it is a very difficult road for the patient and the caregivers. Some progress slowly, others rapidly. Some steady decline, others it’s a roller coaster ride. It’s no ride anyone wants to be on. To get it through it, you need to use all your resources, especially support groups which are so helpful. As the caregiver, you must take care of yourself because your loved one needs you!!
