May 22, 2012

Early Signs of Dementia

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.

An inability to find the right word in conversations, resulting in halted speech and incomplete thoughts is something we all deal with from time to time. In people with early and moderate dementia, this becomes a normal form of conservation with them making it hard to communicate well and carry on a mutually satisfying communication. This can be very frustrating to the person with the disease and the person who is trying to interpret what this person is trying to say.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease that will eventually lead to death. It is currently the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Alzheimer’s begins by destroying brain cells which leads to memory problems and behavioral changes that impact all aspects of life. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

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Dizziness and equilibrium problems are also common health issues with Alzheimer’s. The health issues and problems associated with Alzheimer’s also tend to get worse at night.As Alzheimer’s progresses, daily activities become impossible. The person’s memory, comprehension and speech deteriorate.

Male menopause is also called andropause. In men hormone levels are at the peak somewhere between 15 and 19. When men reach their late 20′s testosterone levels begin to slowly decrease but normally stay within healthy limits. In his 40′s or 50′s up to half the men who suffer andropause will report uncomfortable symptoms. This helps to support a healthy sex drive, the generation and production of sperm. This can allow a man to father children well into his eighties.

More and more research is showing that what you put into your body is a key part of staying healthy. Today the best experts can tell you is that eating well and being active on a regular basis, are natural, effective strategies you can use to fight the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s, for those lucky enough not to know, is more than the normal forgetfulness of aging, it’s an irreversible and progressive disease that destroys thinking and memory. In the end, patients are unable to do everyday things that once were no problem – cooking, dressing, driving a car, making decisions, running errands – all no longer possible.

It is very important that if you are a one of the millions of family caregivers to learn about the specific type of dementia that is affecting your family member. It will give you a better understanding of the disease, what areas of the brain that are affected and help you anticipate some behaviors. Knowledge is power.

Alzheimer’s disease appears to be related to the buildup of amyloid protein plaques in the brain, which cause crucial connections between neurons in the brain to break down, preventing effective transmission of signals within and external to the brain.

Scientists are trying to find ways to prevent or slow the progression of brain damage caused by the disease. Some drugs show promising potential, and a few FDA approved drugs can slow the progression of the disease in its early stages, but there is no cure for the disease at this time.

Read about men’s magazine. Also read about caffeine effects and tequila cocktails.

Middle Stages of Dementia – What to Expect

Middle Stages of Dementia – What to Expect

Studies show that of the 5.1 million individuals diagnosed with dementia in this country, seventy percent remain in their homes and are receiving care from family and friends.

The middle stages of dementia will bring increasing challenges for you the caregiver and the individual that you are caring for. The early signs of dementia will worsen and new signs of dementia will develop. The caregivers will notice increased mental declines and personality changes will become more noticeable. Physical problems, such as poor balance, become much more apparent. The individual will become more and more dependant on the caregivers in their life.

Middle stage dementia is the longest and can be the most challenging stage for both the caregiver and the individual for whom they are providing care. For the caregivers, there are tremendous mental and emotional challenges. The individual with dementia does not adjust to new of different experiences, as they can cause confusion or frustration. Of the three stages of dementia, this is the time when routines become vital. The author John Bayley, in his book Elegy for Iris, writes “Routine is a substitute for memory”.

It is very important that if you are a one of the millions of family caregivers to learn about the specific type of dementia that is affecting your family member. It will give you a better understanding of the disease, what areas of the brain that are affected and help you anticipate some behaviors. Knowledge is power.

As you learn about the type of dementia, and learn about the behaviors that may present for that disease. It is important to note, you will not see all the behaviors and problems that you read about. As with any of the stages of dementia, symptoms and behaviors will surface will be unique to the person with dementia. The behaviors that are exhibited, how long this type of behavior will occur, will depend on several different factors. The type of dementia, whether or not there is more than one type (this is not uncommon) are just a few factors to take into consideration. Medications and their effectiveness as well as compliance with these medications are important. Individuals with dementia also have other medical and health related conditions that will affect their overall ability to handle the mental and physical stressors of this disease.

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More on providing care for someone in the middle stages of Dementia at home? Tips to help deal with those behaviors.

In this stage of dementia, strange and bizarre behaviors will arise. These behaviors will appear strange, definitely out of the ordinary and out of character for that individual with dementia. These behaviors are the hallmark of this stage.

Sundowning, is just one condition that causes increased confusion as the day goes on. Confusion, anxiety and agitation increase late in the day and early evening.

Loss of inhibition, unexplained fears, paranoia, and suspiciousness of others, as well as hoarding, foraging, hiding things and repetitive behaviors may start to be exhibited in this stage.

The most difficult and frightening behaviors that caregivers deal with are aggression. It is important for caregivers to understand the aggression can be caused by frustration. The individual may be having difficulty with understanding the expectations or the demands of an activity, other illnesses and infections, usually urinary tract infections can also be contributing factors that result in aggressive behaviors.      

It is important that caregivers understand that the individual may be having difficulty understanding what it is you are asking them to do and frustrated that they no longer have the ability to communicate to you what they are feeling or wanting to say. They may feel ill, or tired or unable to deal with a new situation.

As a caregiver, it is really important to be aware of how you communicate. It is important to talk slowly; looking into the eyes of the person you are caring for and take one step at a time. If the person you a providing care for communicates with one word sentences, that is the way you should direct them. Break the task you are trying to achieve into steps. After one step of the task is completed, then address the next step of the task. It is hard to be patient, as caregivers become tired and worn out from providing care, but patience and praise for every little success will help decrease the negative behaviors.    

There are millions of caregivers providing care for individuals in the middle stages of dementia at home. The goal of caregivers should be to try and create a positive emotion with every interaction. This will improve the emotional well being of the person suffering from dementia and can decrease negative and unwanted behaviors.

Diane Carbo Registered Nurse has more than thirty five years in the nursing field. Her experience as a geriatric care manager, makes her uniquely qualified to help those who want to live out their lives in their own homes. That decision may be made when you are 20, 30, 40 or in fact at any age, with sooner rather than later being ideal. Diane has developed a web site to make people aware of issues and options. You will find extensive helpful information that will be continually updated. Please visit Diane’s web site and learn more about middle stages of dementia Sign up for “The Caring Advocate” her free newsletter and take advantage of a complimentary e-course Advocating For Yourself and Others”.