Whenever June arrives, people always think about Alzheimer’s & brain awareness month comes first to the minds. It’s the time when people are more inclined toward making conversations about their mental health. It is the time when everyone should think about their cognitive well-being.
In order to prevail in the conversation, the role of the public health community is more important. The community can provide leverage to these activities and conversations so the cognitive function can be prolonged throughout the year.
Since Alzheimer’s progresses over time and gradually reaches the position of making someone suffer badly. Healthcare professionals here seem to have many responsibilities to be taken care of. These include;
- Advancing early diagnosis and timely detection of cognitive impairment and the symptoms of dementia
- Addressing the levied amount of dementia risk between the sensitive beings
- Providing self-support to healthcare professionals and caregivers
- Introducing quality care and safety equipment for people living with dementia.
Facts about Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Alzheimer’s is a psychological disease that is derived from Dementia. However, Dementia is a condition of the brain that affects some parts of the brain which control memory, thoughts, sensations, and language. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the common forms of dementia.
The risk of affecting Alzheimer’s disease can increase with age but this cannot be considered normal. According to common belief, people tend to get forgetful as they age and they face challenges when they are asked about things they need to remember such as dates and places.
Many times people living with Alzheimer’s disease don’t know even if they are suffering from Alzheimer’s when they age. It happens usually in people older than 65 years of age but if someone is having Alzheimer’s below the age of 65, it would be alarming.
One of the many things that people can certainly do in dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia diseases is to educate the facts that play their role in the progression of such diseases in older people around the world. Since the Alzheimer’s & brain awareness month is just around the corner, here are some essential facts that everyone should be aware of;
- Seniors living with Dementia hardly know that they have it –the early signs of dementia include, hard to find the correct word between the conversation and problems in speaking, challenges in daily tasks, behavioral changes, and difficulty in common things like dressing. However, according to an estimation, even after the recognition of these symptoms as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, only 45% of the people are told of their diagnosis by the doctors. Timely recognition and disclosure of the diseases by the caregivers and doctors can prevent the increasing rate of disease in elderly individuals.
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s affect a larger number every year – According to an estimation, currently, 44 million people across the globe are suffering from Dementia. Although it is already a high number at this rate, it is projected that the number can reach up to 135 million by the end of 2050.
- Alzheimer’s can cause premature death – People in many regions might know the disease can intentionally cause memory defects and increase the challenge of daily tasks. But they also need to understand that Alzheimer’s stands as the sixth leading cause of death in the US as said by the Alzheimer’s Association. According to the same source, there is no cure for this condition as of now in the country. However, the symptoms can only be slowed down but nobody can be prevented from the disease.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease
It is important to know that not all the memory issues related to aging can be connected with Dementia or Alzheimer’s. Forgetting names, misplacing keys, and any other annoying condition is normal. According to alz.org, here are some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related signs that link to Dementia.
Changes related to Age
- Confused about the present day of the week
- Change in vision related to cataracts
- Making continuous errors in managing finances
- Difficulty in finding words while speaking
- Needing help in completing daily tasks
- Forgetting names, places, and appointments
Signs of Dementia and Alzheimer’s
- Difficulty in completing daily tasks
- Memory fluctuation or complete loss that hinders daily activities
- Confusion in date, days, month, or the time
- Poor judgment
- Personality changes
- Repetition in conversation
- Trouble in understanding images and spatial visual signs
How can you help people suffering from Dementia & Alzheimer’s disease?
To this time, there’s no possible treatment present to prevent the progression of the fatal disease. However, some drugs can be used to gradually slow down the process and assist in temporarily improving the condition.
Some other ways to help people with dementia include making the surroundings comfortable for them so they would not be frustrated while living with the disease. You can also opt;
To be Overstimulated – Control the auditory and visually surrounding and keep the conversation as simple as possible. Present one idea at a time when conversing in front of the patient so they don’t get confused and lose their concentration.
Don’t yell or Argue – Although it is challenging yet difficult to deal with a person with dementia. But remember they are more frustrated and annoyed with their condition even more than you. They lack concentration so be the soothing voice they need around them.
Be Reassuring – Make the patient feel comfortable around you as much as possible. Even the words like ‘Don’t worry, I am around you’ can make them reassured.
Keep a Daily routine – To cope with the daily challenges of an Alzheimer’s, follow a daily routine so they remember what to expect at what time of the day.
All in all, let’s join hands to support individuals dealing with Dementia. Alzheimer’s or any other psychological disease in this Alzheimer’s & brain awareness month.