The Elderly and Dementia

Dementia is the decline of cognitive functions, reasoning and the loss of long and short-term memory. It will impair such activities as driving, doing household chores and personal care and hygiene.

Although it was once considered a normal part of aging, we now know that it is caused by such things as underlying medical conditions but it is most common in the elderly. After 85 years of age, almost half of all adults will have it to some degree.

This decline in intellectual functioning will almost certainly have a negative impact on the quality of life and on relationships. It can affect how people think and it usually gets worse over time.

Dementia is caused by damage or changes to the brain which includes strokes, tumors or head injuries. Strokes are the most common cause, called vascular dementia. Other health issues such as Parkinson's Disease, Huntington's Disease, HIV/Aids, Multiple Sclerosis and Diabetes play a part in dementia. Also an under active thyroid gland, not getting enough B12, reactions to medications or poor blood circulation to the brain which can be a result of smoking is detrimental. Over use of alcohol can also create dementia-like symptoms as can depression which can affect the memory.

The first symptom is usually memory loss. Other symptoms include difficulty understanding words, getting lost in places they know well, inability to make a list and go shopping, confusion, forgetfulness, lack of interest in life thereby becoming anti-social. In most cases they will cease to look after themselves and their homes as the dementia progresses. There may occasionally be some aggressiveness, a tendency towards being argumentative or even violence.

To diagnose a patient, a doctor will first do a physical examination, ask questions and do memory and other mental tests. They will also probably do blood tests, an MRI and a CT scan. There is a medication which can be taken which will slow the progress of dementia.

It will be important for the dementia sufferer to have an active social life, to exercise, to watch their weight, control blood pressure and cholesterol levels and to keep their body, and most importantly, their mind active.

As a family member we can help by putting a list of important numbers by the telephone and by installing handrails in the bathroom. It will be very important to ensure that a family member who is suffering from dementia is not allowed to become isolated.

But most importantly, it is necessary to keep the mind and body active while still young to help delay the beginning signs of dementia. Being proactive by doings things to delay what may later be is better than later trying to control what already is.