And how to spot it early
As we live longer we’re more vulnerable to dementia. Even though dementia is more often found in older people, it can affect people as young as 30 or 40.
Alzheimer’s disease is a kind of dementia
Alzheimer’s is one of the most common types of dementia – it makes up 60-80% of cases.
Other types of dementia include Lewy body and vascular (involving strokes), and frontal lobe types, which are thought to be genetic. Some people have a combination, called mixed dementia.
Alzheimer’s signs and symptoms, and its treatments, often overlap with other kinds of dementia.
What causes dementia?
Scientists still don’t know the causes, and can only suspect abnormal structures, build-ups in the brain or genetic mutations. Any disease or deprivation that affects the brain – types of malnutrition, alcoholism, chronic cardio-vascular diseases, some infections, and even a series of small strokes – can also produce symptoms of dementia.
Six early warning signs
While some early signs and symptoms can be chalked up to having a ‘senior moment’, if it happens a lot, it’s a good idea to get yourself checked out. The sooner you get the support you need, the easier things will be for you and your family. As Dementia NZ CEO Paul Sullivan says, dementia doesn’t spell instant doom and gloom, there are still lots of ‘moments of joy’ for sufferers and their loved ones.
- Short-term memory loss
You forget names or appointments, but may remember them later.
- Forgetting the right words
Familiar words escape you, and it’s hard to explain yourself
- Difficulty with familiar tasks
Perhaps you’ve made your own yoghurt for 25 years, and suddenly find you have to look up the recipe.
- Misunderstanding and confusion
You can’t remember familiar faces, or what to do next. Conversations are hard to follow because you don’t remember some words.
- Struggling to follow storylines
Television programmes and movies are difficult to follow, and you’re more comfortable watching the same thing over and over.
- Losing or misplacing things
You can’t ever find your scissors or discover that you’ve put tea in your hot-water kettle, rather than the teapot.
Understanding, care and support
Dementia isn’t an automatic part of getting older, but for lots of us, it’s a possibility. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with dementia, there’s still lots of hope and happiness in your future! There’s also a lot of support available to help make life as peaceful and happy as possible for you and your family.
As Paul says, memories and words can be lost, but love and joy linger forever.
Read more on the Dementia NZ site.