1. Periods of memory loss which they often describe as absence. It's the loss of recall that they're describing, unfamiliar with what it really means;
2. Loss of cognitive ability for a period of time, usually fairly short, but recurring. One woman described her experience of getting into her car and looking down at the gas and brake pedals, suddenly aware that she had no idea what to do.
She consciously made herself relax, with slow breathing, and gradually the knowledge returned. She had this same experience in other situations and had had an MRI arranged by her doctor who had suspected she might have brain tumor. Which she didn't. Extensive testing had shown nothing to account for these difficulties.
3. In a more fearful person, these episodes cause tremendous terror reactions which may manifest outwardly as inexplicable attacks of rage or the sudden manifestation of heavy drinking issues;
4. Emotional outbreaks of an unexpected kind of may begin to occur, sudden weeping, loss of emotional control, wild accusations of a kind that might sound paranoid but are actually extreme fear reactions;
5. Stories of neighbors stealing, people breaking in, intruders, may mark this priod of time also;
6. Odd stories that don't make sense -- losing the car, driving off and finding it hard to get home.
Few people are both willing and able to share their sense of disquiet with family members, but some do. One woman, who had been dealing with an increasing sense of incapacity to carry on as before, said to hr husband one day, "I don't know what's going on but there's something very wrong with me. I just can't do these things any more. You're going to have to."
After medical investigation, she was diagnosed as having a dementia of the Alzheimer's type. And her husband did indeed begin to take over the tasks that had once been hers.
Their situation was unusual in that she was very open and honest. Even though everyone knows about Alzheimer's now, people are still seldom that honest with each other. Denial is still the most usual thing that happens.
I suppose that people still feel like little children -- that if they say nothing, then nothing will be the real answer. Our societal issues is that we've made dementias of the Alzheimer's type so fearful and awful that no-one wants to be around it, not even people who have it.
Maybe we start to think about how we need to change all that and have it be just one more illness that we could learn how to deal with.
Showing posts with label dementia assessment.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dementia assessment.. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Early signs of dementia.
The first of the three stages of dementia may present with memory problems that the individual is able to hide. Other signs of dementia may exhibit as depression, lack of interest or initiative in some individuals, or in other words the inability to carry out plans. Still others may begin to have some personality changes and begin to have difficulty with expressing emotions.
Being aware of the early signs of dementia and seeking early treatment may prolong the early stage of this disease. At the present time, there is no cure for the progressive dementias, such as Alzheimer's. The present treatment for this disease is medication, nutrition and behavioral approaches.
Medications will assist with some of the irritability, anxiety and restlessness that many individuals with dementia experience. The most successful approach to providing care for the individual is through interpersonal communication. This is not an easy task, as by the time the diagnosis of dementia is given, the brain has already begun to deteriorate.
Communication is difficult not only for the caregivers, but for the individual with this diagnosis. They are having difficulty remembering any information. They have little to no ability to store any new information and minimal ability to quickly retrieve and respond to a situation in a timely fashion. This causes frustration, restlessness, an increase in anxiety and anger, in some individuals. Negative and unwanted behaviors, often displayed by the individual with dementia, are out of anger, frustration and restlessness. There is still an awareness of their inabilities to communicate and understand everything.
This awareness causes frustration and confusion and often results in acting out behaviors.
Early Signs of Dementia for Family Caregivers. Tips for a Successful Approach to Providing Care.
There are several different things a person with this new diagnosis and family caregivers should implement in to their lives. Research now shows, that brain fitness and physical fitness, promote new connections to form in the brain. So a brisk walk, daily, and utilizing a brain fitness program or even playing card games will be vital to promoting and maintaining well being. These activities can decrease the risk for insomnia, anxiety, depression and negative behaviors.
Good nutrition, such as a heart healthy diet is important. High in dark green leafy vegetables, fish, whole grains and fruit this is also a brain healthy diet!
Sensory impairment increases the chances of negative behaviors and feelings of depression. It is important to allow an individual time to see, hear, taste and touch. It is important that they have proper fitting teeth, hearing aides in and working, or eye glasses to see.
Patience and compassion are the keys to creating positive emotions in an individual suffering from dementia. It is important for the caregiver to focus on what the individual can do at this given moment versus what they are no longer able to do. Once a function is lost, it will not come back. As difficult as it is, you should never say "no." You cannot change the behaviors of the individual but you can alter their response. It is very important as a caregiver not to create an adversarial relationship with the individual for whom you are providing care. The goal of every interaction is to try and create a positive emotional response.
This approach takes a great deal of personal growth on the part of the caregiver. Your goal is to try to understand what the behaviors are trying to tell you. Every behavior is a form of communication. If you realize that the individual is getting upset or frustrated, try and figure out what is causing this frustration. Try taking a positive approach and suggesting another activity. Another approach is to ask questions about the topic they are focusing on. You can divert or distract them into another activity and help to give them a positive feeling instead of anger and frustration.
Being aware of the early signs of dementia are vital to an early diagnosis and treatment. Taking a proactive approach to learning as much as you can about the type of dementia will assist the family caregivers to prepare for the future care needs. Learning the tools to focus on the individual's strengths, will promote a better quality of life.
Being aware of the early signs of dementia and seeking early treatment may prolong the early stage of this disease. At the present time, there is no cure for the progressive dementias, such as Alzheimer's. The present treatment for this disease is medication, nutrition and behavioral approaches.
Medications will assist with some of the irritability, anxiety and restlessness that many individuals with dementia experience. The most successful approach to providing care for the individual is through interpersonal communication. This is not an easy task, as by the time the diagnosis of dementia is given, the brain has already begun to deteriorate.
Communication is difficult not only for the caregivers, but for the individual with this diagnosis. They are having difficulty remembering any information. They have little to no ability to store any new information and minimal ability to quickly retrieve and respond to a situation in a timely fashion. This causes frustration, restlessness, an increase in anxiety and anger, in some individuals. Negative and unwanted behaviors, often displayed by the individual with dementia, are out of anger, frustration and restlessness. There is still an awareness of their inabilities to communicate and understand everything.
This awareness causes frustration and confusion and often results in acting out behaviors.
Early Signs of Dementia for Family Caregivers. Tips for a Successful Approach to Providing Care.
There are several different things a person with this new diagnosis and family caregivers should implement in to their lives. Research now shows, that brain fitness and physical fitness, promote new connections to form in the brain. So a brisk walk, daily, and utilizing a brain fitness program or even playing card games will be vital to promoting and maintaining well being. These activities can decrease the risk for insomnia, anxiety, depression and negative behaviors.
Good nutrition, such as a heart healthy diet is important. High in dark green leafy vegetables, fish, whole grains and fruit this is also a brain healthy diet!
Sensory impairment increases the chances of negative behaviors and feelings of depression. It is important to allow an individual time to see, hear, taste and touch. It is important that they have proper fitting teeth, hearing aides in and working, or eye glasses to see.
Patience and compassion are the keys to creating positive emotions in an individual suffering from dementia. It is important for the caregiver to focus on what the individual can do at this given moment versus what they are no longer able to do. Once a function is lost, it will not come back. As difficult as it is, you should never say "no." You cannot change the behaviors of the individual but you can alter their response. It is very important as a caregiver not to create an adversarial relationship with the individual for whom you are providing care. The goal of every interaction is to try and create a positive emotional response.
This approach takes a great deal of personal growth on the part of the caregiver. Your goal is to try to understand what the behaviors are trying to tell you. Every behavior is a form of communication. If you realize that the individual is getting upset or frustrated, try and figure out what is causing this frustration. Try taking a positive approach and suggesting another activity. Another approach is to ask questions about the topic they are focusing on. You can divert or distract them into another activity and help to give them a positive feeling instead of anger and frustration.
Being aware of the early signs of dementia are vital to an early diagnosis and treatment. Taking a proactive approach to learning as much as you can about the type of dementia will assist the family caregivers to prepare for the future care needs. Learning the tools to focus on the individual's strengths, will promote a better quality of life.
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