Dementia and the Aging Adult

Dementia is the deterioration of brain function which often strikes aging elders, a chronic problem that is progressive in nature. Many times the disease goes undetected in elders since the symptoms can seem like natural signs of aging at first. However, better understanding dementia can help caregivers and loved ones identify the early signs of the disease and reach out to a doctor for diagnosis and treatment, both of which are crucial to helping the person with dementia living a more fulfilling life.

Who is in danger?

Over 36 million adults over the age of 65 reside in USA, and most cases of dementia reported are within this age group. Those who have suffered strokes or experienced neurological problems in the past are more likely to fall prey to dementia, as are those with a history of alcohol dependence or brain tumors. In addition, there are cases where dementia may be misdiagnosed, when the real cause of dementia-like symptoms is a treatable problem such as an underactive thyroid gland. In such cases, the problem may be reversible if treated.

What are the signs?

Dementia symptoms are complex and can be difficult to treat. Very early signs include memory loss, disorientation, loss of coordination, and a general decline in motor skills, which affects day-to-day activities such as driving, bathing, dressing, and cooking. Moreover, these symptoms may cause the person with dementia to feel frustrated and anxious, which may result in irritability, anger, drastic mood swings, and strange and hostile behavior. All of this is the dementia talking.

How is dementia diagnosed?

Unlike many other diseases, there is no single test to diagnosis dementia. Rather, to diagnose dementia doctors rely on a battery of tests and questions, including blood tests, MRIs and CT scans, and memory tests in addition to general questions regarding symptoms. However, none of these tests or methods are 100% reliable and sometimes dementia is undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

What is the cure?

While dementia is a disease that cannot be reversed, it may be possible to slow down the degenerative process with medical intervention, and mitigate some of the frustrating consequences with support from a caregiver, and the implementation of lifestyle changes to make living with dementia easier. There are also medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors that treat certain cognitive symptoms in the early and middle stages of dementia.

The importance of counseling for the caregiver

Counseling for the person with dementia and his or her caregiver often helps to ease the frustration of managing the disease. However, it is often more important for the caregiver to seek counseling to ensure he or she has the support necessary to cope with the strain of caring for someone with dementia. It can be difficult to maintain a positive outlook in the face of day-to-day challenges; however, having an outlet for one’s frustration and emotion is essential to one's personal wellbeing.