DEMENTIA
New Discoveries
DEMENTIA
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is any decline in cognition that is significant enough to interfere with independent, daily functioning. it is an overall term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. Symptoms may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language, severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. A person with dementia may also experience changes in mood or behaviour
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DEMENTIA?
Dementia is a medical term for a set of symptoms. Whatever the cause of the dementia, symptoms may include:
memory loss
loss of understanding or judgment
decreased ability to make decisions
changes in how the person expresses their emotions
changes in personality
problems coping with daily living
problems with speech and understanding language
problems socializing.
HOW DOES DEMENTIA AFFECT THE DAILY LIVES OF ELDERS?
Dementia develops at different rates in different people. People with dementia are likely to have at least a few of the following signs:
forgetting appointments or a friend’s name and not being able to remember them later
losing their way in familiar places, not knowing what time of day it is
having difficulty finding words, using the wrong words in a sentence
experiencing problems with familiar tasks like making a meal
exhibiting poor or impaired judgment, such as dressing inappropriately for the weather
losing abstract thinking skills, such as not knowing how to read a bank statement
misplacing familiar objects or putting them in the wrong place
experiencing changes in mood, such as quickly shifting from laughter to tears to shouting
exhibiting changes in personality, such as becoming uncharacteristically irritable, suspicious or fearful
losing the desire to carry out simple but important day-to-day activities.
NORMAL AGING VS. DEMENTIA
Dementias are not a part of normal aging.
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Almost 40 per cent of people over the age of 65 experience some form of memory loss. When there is no underlying medical condition causing this memory loss, it is known as "age-associated memory impairment," which is considered a part of the normal aging process.
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Normal Aging :
Not being able to remember details of a conversation or event that took place a year ago
Not being able to remember the name of an acquaintance
Forgetting things and events occasionally
You are worried about your memory but your relatives are not
Dementia :​
Not being able to recall details of recent events or conversations
Not recognizing or knowing the names of family members
Forgetting things or events more frequently
Frequent pauses and substitutions when Findings words
Your relatives are worried about your memory, but you are not aware of any problems
STIGMA AROUND DEMENTIA
As of June, an estimated 564,000 Canadians are living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, yet people with the illness often feel excluded or treated differently
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negative language is often used to describe dementia and reduces people with the disease to a series of labels, symptoms or medical terms
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Stigma not only hurts people with the disease but also discourages their families from confiding in others or getting the support they need
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you can help reduce stigma in 6 simple ways
​Learn the facts - share knowledge to you family and friends. Especially if you hear something that isn't true
Dont make assumption - Dementia is a progressive disease and affects each person differently.
Watch your language - Avoid racial jokes, or statements that make light of dementia
Treat people with dementia with respect and dignity - no matter what stage of disease, don't treat them any different than others
Be a friend - people with dementia don't want to lose their friends and family. Be supportive, stay in touch and connected
Speak up! - Don't stand for media stereotypes that perpetuate stigma and myths. Call or write to your radio or television station or newspaper
MYTHS AROUND DEMENTIA
There are many myths surrounding dementia, some of which you’ll find here. Once you understand the myths, you’ll be better able to face the reality of dementia with the facts.
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Myth: Because someone in my family has dementia, I am going to get it.
Reality: While genetics do play a role in the development of some forms of dementia, the majority of cases do not have a strong, known genetic link.
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Myth: Dementia only affects older people.
Reality: While most people with dementia are over the age of 65; a small number of people in their 40’s and 50’s can and do develop dementia. Most people do not develop dementia as they age; dementia is not a normal part of aging.
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Myth: There is a cure for dementia.
Reality: Some dementias are reversible; however, many, such as Alzheimer’s disease, do not yet have a cure.
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Myth: Memory loss means dementia.
Reality: People naturally forget things from time to time. When memory loss affects day-to-day function, it is important to visit a doctor to determine the cause. Many forms of dementia do not have memory loss as their first symptom so any unexplained changes in mood, behaviour or ability should be checked out by a doctor.