Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia
It seems like one of the most consistent confusions I see when visiting with older adults or their adult children has to do with dementia. Almost automatically, people will say something like “I think Mom has Alzheimer’s...”
One of my stock responses is often, “Has she been diagnosed by her doctor?” Sometimes the answer is “no.” Sometimes there has been a preliminary diagnosis made by a primary doctor. Only occasionally has Mom gotten a neurological exam to confirm what is happening.
One of the consequences of not getting a fuller confirmation of Alzheimer’s or some other dementia may be under-diagnosis. That can lead to incomplete treatment of the symptoms and condition. Plus folks can think Alzheimer’s is different from “dementia.”
“Dementia isn’t a specific disease. Instead, dementia describes a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning. Though dementia generally involves memory loss, memory loss has different causes. So memory loss alone doesn’t mean you have dementia.” (www.alzheimersreadingroom.com)
Next Tuesday, Feb. 14, the Geezer Forum will host another discussion about dementia and focus on its most common form: Alzheimer’s disease. Joel Loiacono, regional director for the Eastern Washington/North Idaho Alzheimer’s Association, will be our guest speaker.
His topic is “About Hearts and Minds: An Update on Alzheimer’s Disease.” It’s Valentine’s Day, so we also want to recognize the emotional impact of dementia on both the person with dementia and his/her caregivers.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a set of symptoms including impaired thinking and memory. It is a term that is often associated with the cognitive decline of aging. However, issues other than Alzheimer’s can cause dementia.
Other common causes of dementia are Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. (Feel free to look that one up!) You can find a description of some common dementias at www.alz.org. Alzheimer’s is a very specific form of dementia. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s include impaired thought, impaired speech, and confusion. Doctors use a variety of screenings to determine the cause of dementia including blood tests, mental status evaluations and brain scans.
“When a person is diagnosed with dementia, they are being diagnosed with a set of symptoms. This is similar to someone who has a sore throat. Their throat is sore but it is not known what is causing that particular symptom.
It could be allergies, strep throat, or a common cold. Similarly, when someone has dementia they are experiencing symptoms without being told what is causing those symptoms.
Once a cause of dementia is found appropriate treatment and counseling can begin. Until a proper diagnosis is made, the best approach to any dementia is engagement, communication and loving care.” (www.alzheimers.net)
Some dementias may occur because of a wide variety of other health issues. To further complicate things, some dementia symptoms are caused by issues not related to dementia. This is why I try to consistently encourage persons concerned about dementia to get to their doctors!
Please consider joining Joel and us next Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the Geezer Forum to explore these matters more from 2:30-4 p.m. at the Community Room of Columbia Bank.
Paul Graves, M.Div., is lead geezer-in-training with Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues. Reach him at 208-610-4971 or elderadvocates@nctv.com.