Is it dementia or normal aging?
Forgetfulness, losing things from time to time, or having trouble recalling a name or word can be a normal part of life and aging. But when thinking or memory problems begin to interfere with everyday activities such as working, driving, preparing meals, or handling finances – it is time to see a doctor.
Dementia is a general term used for the loss of cognitive functioning – thinking, remembering, learning, and reasoning.
There are many different forms of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease being the most common type of dementia. Nearly 6 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
What are the signs and symptoms of dementia?
While one of the earliest symptoms of dementia is memory loss, dementia is more than just memory loss – it involves a loss of cognition, or the ability to think clearly.
Symptoms of dementia can vary and may include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty speaking or communicating
- Problems with reasoning and judgment
- Changes in personality such as withdrawn, confused, or disoriented
- Getting lost in a familiar neighborhood
- Using unusual words to refer to familiar objects
- Forgetting the name of a close friend or family member
- Trouble handling money responsibly and paying bills appropriately
- Not being able to complete tasks independently
In some cases, dementia can coexist with or be confused with other mood disorders like depression, anxiety, late-onset schizophrenia, etc. If a loved one is not interacting as much or seems withdrawn, a doctor can assess whether the patient suffers from dementia or is just depressed.
What are the risk factors for dementia?
Although the biggest risk factor for dementia is aging, it is not a normal part of aging. Genetics, family history, and race/ethnicity can also increase the risk of developing dementia. Other risk factors that can be addressed to reduce your risk:
• Poor heart health
• A lack of physical activity
• Poor diet
• Cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity
• Excessive alcohol use
• Smoking
Is it dementia or normal aging? How do you know?
A healthcare provider can perform tests on attention, memory, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities to determine what exactly is going on and whether the symptoms are caused by other factors like chronic pain or drug interactions.
If you have concerns about yourself or a family member, be proactive and schedule a visit with your Primary Care Provider to start investigating underlying issues and next steps.
What’s next? How is dementia treated?
Most types of dementia cannot be cured, but there are ways to manage symptoms.
Medications
There are some drugs that may help to slow down the disease or treat other symptoms such as depression, sleep disturbances, hallucinations, or agitation. Avoid “fad” treatments like supplements and others. Sometimes they can make the condition worse.
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy at the Rehabilitation Center can help to adapt the environment to support a person with dementia and can help to retain existing function for as long as possible.
For dementia, the goal is to slow the progression and make the patient as comfortable and self-sufficient as possible.
If you don’t have a Primary Care Provider, we have several providers that are accepting new patients at AppInternal Medicine and AppFamily in Boone, as well as Baker Primary Care Center in Linville and Elk River Medical in Banner Elk.
