I was talking with a friend whose 83 year old mother is experiencing some signs of dementia. For many, this becomes an emotional topic and, for some, causes more concern than physical ailment. This post will provide an overview on dementia (as well as Alzheimer's) but you can expect more posts on this important topic.
First off, there is a lot of confusion about what is dementia and what is Alzheimer's Disease. The two are very similar and, in many cases are indistinguishable. In both cases, the patient exhibits short term memory loss and a decrease in cognitive skills. At this time, the only way to conclusively distinguish between the two is during an autopsy but there a number of simple tests a Neurologist can perform to draw a reasonable determination if it is Alzheimer's. It is important to do this because there are some promising drugs on the market that will slow the progression of the disease (more on that in a future post). My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and fortunately, by working with a good Neurologist, it never progressed to the extent that it could have.
Many older people can suffer from dementia at one time or another. Some of the reasons for temporary dementia can be a urinary tract infection, dehydration, hospitalization, certain medications or anything that disrupts their normal routine. This type of dementia may often diminish or go away when things go back to normal.
When someone is outside of their home surroundings, such as in the hospital, it's a very confusing time for them. Don't be surprised if your loved one doesn't remember you were there the day before. Don't expect them to remember what they had for a recent meal. This is all normal even if it is upsetting to witness. If they have recently started on new medications in the hospital, there's an even greater chance of them experiencing dementia.
If the elderly person is in familiar surroundings and their routine has been consistent, it's time to check for dehydration or a urinary tract infection (UTI). Another friend of mine, whose mother still lived in her own apartment, seemed to be getting worse in terms of memory and confusion. I asked my friend if her mother had been checked for a UTI and she said she would ask the doctor to check that on her mother's upcoming appointment. Guess what? She had a UTI. After treatment for that, her mother's dementia improved.
If your loved one doesn't remember something or is confused, the natural inclination is to correct them or remind them what really happened. It's frustrating for them when they can't remember something. Don't add to their burden by arguing with them. I've dealt with a number of seniors who would start telling stories that made absolutely no sense. I watched their family members give them the third degree and everyone ended up more frustrated than necessary. I believe in "going along for the ride". The story may make no sense but it's at least good to hear them talk. If my mother forgot something I used to remind her what happened and then move on. Maybe tomorrow she'd remember it or maybe she wouldn't. My only objective was to keep track of her behavior so I could work with her doctors to solve short term issues and make sure longer term issues were being tracked.
Bottom line is that dementia is extremely common in the elderly. Your job is to determine if it's short term and needs action (dehydration and UTI), if it's middle term and will correct itself when circumstances revert back to normal (hospital visit) or if it's indicative of a longer term problem that can be managed with treatment (Alzheimer's). Keep track of changes in behavior and discuss with their doctor. Much more on this topic in the future.
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