Breaking

Dementia is more than occasionally forgetting a name or a word - The Washington Post
Oct 18, 2020 1 min, 41 secs
The number of cases of dementia in the United States is rising as baby boomers age, raising questions for boomers themselves and also for their families, caregivers and society.

Older people may worry about their own loss of function as well as the cost and toll of caregiving for someone with dementia.

When these types of questions are posed — adding further stigma to people with dementia — it can unfairly further isolate them and those caring for them.

We need to understand dementia and the impact it has on more than 5 million people in the United States who now live with dementia and their caregivers.

There are different types of memory loss and they can have different causes, such as other medical conditions, falls or even medication, including herbals, supplements and anything over-the-counter.

Older people wonder and worry about “senior moments” and the memory loss they perceive in themselves and others.

Older people often have a decrease in recall memory.

This too you should discuss with your doctor, who might recommend the MoCA, or Montreal Cognitive Assessment, which screens for memory problems and helps determine whether more evaluation is needed.

When memory loss interferes with daily activities, see your doctor about what to do and how to make sure you’re safe at home.

There are numerous types of severe memory loss.

Certain medical conditions — thyroid disorders, syphilis — can lead to dementia symptoms, and less common types of dementia can have different kinds of symptoms.

Delirium, a rapid change in cognition or mental functioning, can occur in people with an acute medical illness, such as pneumonia or even covid-19 infection.

Risk for delirium increases with age or previous brain injuries; symptoms include decreased attention span and memory issues.

Symptoms include anxiety, hopelessness, low energy and problems with memory.

You must, openly and honestly, discuss changes you notice in your memory or thinking with your doctor.

Dementia is a serious medical diagnosis — ask those who have it, the loved ones who care for them or any of us who treat them.

RECENT NEWS

SUBSCRIBE

Get monthly updates and free resources.

CONNECT WITH US

© Copyright 2024 365NEWSX - All RIGHTS RESERVED