2023-06-05 02:15:40
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Daily tasks become difficult
Decreased communication and visual-spatial abilities
Daily signs of loss of interest
Here’s how to spot early signs that seniors may have Alzheimer’s or dementia.
It’s not uncommon for people to sometimes have trouble finding the right words or remembering where they put things. However, persistent difficulties with memory, cognition, and the ability to perform daily tasks can be a sign of a more serious problem.
▶What is dementia
Dementia is a general term for changes in the brain that result in functional loss that interferes with daily life. It can reduce concentration, attention, language skills, problem solving, and visual perception. Dementia can also make it difficult for a person to regulate their emotions and can even lead to personality changes.
More than 6 million Americans now have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, but many experts say the number is probably higher. According to the latest figures from the Alzheimer’s Association, the prevalence is projected to reach nearly 13 million by 2050. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are more than 55 million people with dementia worldwide.
If someone is showing signs of dementia, it is important to see a medical professional who can perform tests and make a diagnosis. From common infections to vitamin deficiencies, several often treatable conditions can cause dementia-like symptoms and should be ruled out first. In the case of dementia, it is necessary to plan how to manage or treat treatment, especially as the condition progresses.
▶10 Warning Signs of Dementia
Some symptoms to look out for include:
1.Difficulties in daily tasks
Everyone makes mistakes, but people with dementia can find it increasingly difficult to do things like forgetting their monthly bills or following a recipe, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. People with dementia may also find it difficult to concentrate on tasks and may take much longer to perform or have difficulty completing them.
2. Repeat
According to the Cleveland Clinic, repeated asking questions or telling the same story multiple times about a recent event are common indicators of mild or moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
3. Communication problems
Observe if your loved one has trouble engaging in or following conversations, stopping abruptly while thinking, or having trouble thinking of words or names of objects.
4. Lost
People with dementia may have difficulties with visual and spatial abilities. According to the Mayo Clinic, it can manifest as problems like getting lost while driving.
5. Personality change
Begins to act unusually anxious, confused, fearful, or suspicious, or appears easily upset or depressed.
6. Confusion about time and place
If you’ve forgotten where you are or can’t remember how you got there, it’s a red flag. Another worrisome sign is disorientation in time. For example, routinely forgetting the day of the week.
7. Misplacing things
People with dementia may place objects in unusual places and may have trouble retrace their steps to find misplaced objects, notes the Alzheimer’s Association. This is the case when you put a toothbrush or other non-food items in the refrigerator.
8. Embarrassing Behavior
If you seem to be getting less judgmental in handling your money or if you are neglecting your grooming and cleanliness, you should pay attention.
9. Loss of interest or apathy
Sometimes not feeling particularly social is one thing, but a sudden and routine loss of interest in family, friends, work, and social events is a warning sign of dementia. According to a new study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, apathy may be a sign of progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a symptom of memory loss or thinking problems that are not as severe as dementia, to Alzheimer’s disease. Patients with MCI have a high risk of developing dementia.
10. Forgetting Old Memories
More and more persistent memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia.
▶where to find help
When a loved one has troubling symptoms, the first step is to go to the doctor. However, to get a definitive diagnosis, you should see a specialist, such as a neurologist, geriatrician, or geriatric psychiatrist.
If you can’t find the right medical team, the National Institute on Aging recommends contacting the neurology department at your nearest medical school. Some hospitals also have clinics focused on dementia.
Because other risk factors, such as smoking and high blood pressure, along with health history, may play a role in dementia risk, experts want to know about a patient’s medical history, habits and family history.
▶How to Diagnose Dementia
– Cognitive and neuropsychological tests assess verbal and mathematical skills, memory, problem solving, and other types of mental functioning.
– Blood tests are a relatively new method for diagnosing dementia and in most cases are still limited in clinical settings. Doctors try tests to measure levels of beta-amyloid, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.
-Brain scans such as CT, MRI or PET imaging can detect changes in brain structure and function. These tests can also identify strokes, tumors and other problems that can lead to dementia.
– A psychiatric evaluation can determine whether a mental health condition is causing or affecting symptoms.
– Genetic testing is especially important if someone develops symptoms before age 60. According to the Mayo Clinic, the early-onset form of Alzheimer’s is closely related to a person’s genes. You should consult with a genetics specialist before and after getting tested.
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Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter Suffers from Alzheimer’s
On October 12, 2019, Secretary of State Michael Pompeo and his wife met former President Carter and his wife in Nashville, Tennessee. From left, Secretary Michael Pompeo, former President Jimmy Carter, First Lady Rosalyn Carter and Susan Pompeo. [국무부 자료사진]
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter, 95, is suffering from dementia, the Carter family announced on the 30th of last month.
Carter, the wife of former President Jimmy Carter and a resident of Plains, Georgia, is the founder of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers. He has also been leading her to address mental health issues throughout her life, working to improve access to dementia care and reduce stigma.
“As he did half a century ago, we know that negative perceptions of dementia are barriers that keep individuals and families from getting much-needed support,” the statement said. “By sharing the news of our family, we are starting an important conversation at dinner tables and doctors’ clinics across the country. I hope it will increase,” he said.
However, the statement did not say when Rosalyn Carter was diagnosed or what type of dementia she suffered from.
Earlier this year, the Carter Center announced that Jimmy Carter, who married Rosalyn in 1946, had begun receiving hospice care. The Carter Center said, “Mrs. Rosalyn Carter continues to live happily in her home with her husband as she enjoys her spring break on her plains and visits loved ones.”
Reporter Jang Byeong-hee
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