SIGNS OF DEMENTIA
The first evidence of dementia is usually subtle difficulties with complex activities, like having difficulties remembering passwords.
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your doctor about screening for cognitive impairments at your yearly check-up, suggests Dr. Campbell. One of the most challenging aspects of living with dementia is anosognosia – not knowing you have the disease. It is essential to address life planning so that if you are faced with a diagnosis, you can live and be cared for as you wish. Dr. Campbell stresses the importance of having a will and ascribing power of attorney and health care proxy. “You should probably shop around and decide which nursing home you like better than another. If you have a strong family history of dementia, you should consider advocating for your future self and the healthcare system. Try and do something so that when you are in a personal care home, your care is acceptable,” says Dr. Campbell.
an airport while travelling with his family. They laughed it off at the time, but as the man’s dementia progressed, it became clear that this was an early sign. Risk factors predisposing people to develop dementia include age, family history, head injuries, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, diabetes, midlife obesity, inactivity, high blood pressure and smoking. “Those are risk factors for heart disease but also risk factors for vascular dementia,” explains Dr. Campbell. “High blood pressure in the middle of your life might not cause you any trouble, but one of the reasons you get treated is to try to delay the time to which you’re going to develop vascular dementia.” Healthy living and noticing signs early can help distinguish whether you might be experiencing dementia or another illness. Ask
Dementias commonly have seven stages ranging from mild to severe cognitive and physical decline. The most common types of dementia include frontotemporal, Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body syndrome and vascular dementia. There are significant differences in symptoms across types, ranging from mood or personality changes to memory deficits, executive function problems and hallucinations. “The first evidence of dementia is usually subtle difficulties with complex activities,” says Dr. Campbell. “Getting in car accidents or having difficulties remembering passwords, or having negative work performance appraisals if you’re still working at that stage of your life. But usually, these things are only noticed or recognized as part of dementia in retrospect.” Dr. Campbell shared the story of an older man who became lost in
6 MATURE
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