What are the Signs and Symptoms Archives - Page 2 of 15

Fashionable Incontinence Products offer security

Incontinence Products offer security as well as fashion

It can be difficult when a loved one becomes incontinent. My Mom was mortified the first time she couldn’t hold it while we were in a busy shopping mall. But it happens!

It happens to many folks besides those with dementia. Mom needed quite a bit of reassuring and consoling on that day. She was so embarrassed. If your loved one has an accident, they don’t need a lecture but a great big hug!

Mom and I decided on that day that the best defense against incontinence is good protection. I did not like seeing my Mother so upset, or embarrassed. From then on, Mom had no qualms about wearing an adult diaper the next time we went shopping. And, as uncomfortable as it was for her, she never complained and seldom soiled them again. Eventually, we did laugh about the situation.

Once it became a humorous topic, it wasn’t nearly as embarrassing as when it first happened. When we found some really nice products for secure protection, Mom became much more at ease about the fear of “wetting or soiling” her under clothes. Mom passed away 7 years ago and I can hardly believe it’s been that long.

During that time, the incontinence products have certainly improved. Women’s briefs are just as safe but thinner and many can be laundered.

Women Incontinence Cotton Underwear

Incontinence Underwear for Women are not like they use to be. They are Pure Cotton Washable Panties with a Super-absorbent Pad that is neither bulky nor uncomfortable.

Mom would be so grateful for the new designs for incontinent products. The panties look like regular ladies underwear, the padding is comfortable and secure, keeping the wearer dry, and they launder nicely.

Sofnit 300 Washable Underpad Priva High Quality Ultra Waterproof Depend Maximum Absorbency MEN Poise Ultimate Absorbency Women

Alzheimer’s Shadowing – Means Me and my Shadow

08/022 Comments

“Me and My Alzheimer’s Shadow” is a quote from Bob DeMarco and the Alzheimer’s Reading Room.

Alzheimer’s Shadowing was one of the most disturbing symptoms for me as a caregiver with my own Mom.

At the time, I didn’t know why Mom followed me everywhere, nor why she woke me up during the middle of the night only to stand beside my bed and stare down at me without saying a word. Yep, it was spooky– to say the least.

It was a frightening experience. While Mom lived with us, I had a shadow every time I moved, a real- life, human shadow. Mom would hunch her shoulders and creep quietly like a cat stalking a mouse. If I turned quickly and caught her on my heels, she would stare at me without saying a word. I can’t count how many times I awoke in the morning to find Mom leaning over my bed, eyes wide and staring.

Eventually, I began to realize that she saw me as her security. If she was on my heels if I turned around quickly or standing beside my bed while I slept. And that made her happy. If I was in-sight, she was okay.

Though still a frightening sensation, I could understand why Mom needed to do it. Shadowing is no fun. Not for the caregiver, nor the person with dementia who feels the necessity to stick so closely on the heels of their caregiver. Yet, for awhile, they must do it.

If I had it to do over, I would try a few new things with this most annoying symptom.

1. More Hugs: Maybe Mom needed more reassurance and comfort.

2. More familiar Items from her own home: Perhaps she would have felt more confident and content if more of my Home felt like her Home.

Still — Shadowing is a known symptom of dementia so there may have been nothing I could do to prevent this phase at all.

I hear about shadowing from other caregivers often, and most others have the same sentiment about Shadowing. So I believe it to be more likely that the person with dementia needs the caregiver so much that shadowing will happen no matter where they live or what comforts are afforded them.

A Caregiver’s Guide to Dementia What If It’s Not Alzheimer’s?

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Still, Alzheimer’s shadowing or not, with a “do-over,” I would bring more of Mom’s items into my home to make her surroundings more familiar.

Mom packed one suitcase for the trip to live with us. And I didn’t fully understand how little memory she had left about packing for a trip away from home. The circumstances were so hectic and disturbing, no one thought to bring more of her own surroundings to her new home.

Care-giving is difficult. Afterthoughts and regrets rule supreme!

Emotions are raw and confusion reins. In the first days of “caregiving” most folks haven’t read a book or visited a memory cafe or spoke to a nurse or nursing home or any others who could help in the transition phase. I’d been so busy caring for my mom and coping with behaviors that I didn’t understand that I hadn’t taken any of the above steps.

Actually, the quicker you can learn and understand more about some of the odd behavior and symptoms of a loved one with dementia, the sooner you, as a caregiver, can learn to cope and make better choices.

Read books, join Forums (locally and online) call your local Alzheimer’s office

Chicken Soup for the Soul Chicken Soup for the Caregiver’s Chicken Soup for the Family

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Dementia Cases Increasing – Surge 62% in 7 years – HSCIC Report

08/01Leave a Comment

Dementia Cases Increasing and Surge in last 7 Years

The Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) said the number of patients with a recorded diagnosis of dementia has increased by 62%, reported by: http://news360.com

It makes one wonder if it’s due to the aging baby-boomer generation or could there be something else at work.

New reporting standards might be an issue. George McNamara, head of policy and public affairs at the Alzheimer’s Society charity, said: “More people with dementia may now be known by their GP and registered as having the condition, but the stark reality is that hundreds of thousands still face the life-altering diagnosis of dementia alone, without any support or information.

While this may be true and would definitely be good news, there are still many with symptoms that have no idea what their diagnosis might be and whether they will be part of the Dementia Cases Increasing.

Although having dementia is a fearful situation and dreaded by most, getting an early diagnosis is paramount. Once you know, once you have a diagnosis, you can search for appropriate help.

With proper medication, many of the severe symptoms may be postponed with one of the medications produced specifically for dementia. Plus, with more time to adjust, family members and caregivers can gain a better understanding of what is really happening to their loved one.
Whole Person Dementia Assessment

Although we can t currently offer a cure for Alzheimers, we can provide better information and advice to people with the disease (and their caregivers) to help improve their ability to live and cope with this challenging disease. This groundbreaking book shows how to start making a difference during the initial evaluation and beyond. Treating every assessment as more than a simple diagnostic process , Whole Person Dementia Assessment sets the stage for more constructive interventions, better care, and a higher quality of life throughout the disease process.

Knowing the issues can create better solutions and encourage a warm family atmosphere of love and understanding. I hope this news continues and the reason being that more folks with dementia are getting earlier diagnosis.

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Can You Tell The Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Natural Aging?

06/162 Comments

Can you tell the difference between Alzheimer’s or Simple Aging? Sometimes it’s difficult to know the difference–

Memory loss is common, particularly among men and women over the age of 65. This could be a simple moment of forgetfulness or it may represent something far more serious. The reality is that people are diagnosed with dementia and progressive brain diseases, like Alzheimer’s, every single day. Unfortunately, proper diagnosis is often delayed.

So the question is common. “Can you tell the difference between Alzheimer’s and Natural Aging.”

Why does this happen? It can be difficult to determine the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and age related memory loss.

As you age, your memory will begin to change. This is completely normal. You may notice this happening more often or you may not notice any significant changes at all. The severity of age related memory loss will vary from person to person.

For instance, you may find that you have left your shopping list at home or have missed a dental appointment. These things are bound to happen from time to time…. and for the most part, they are nothing to be concerned about. However, with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease on the rise, it is important to be aware of the common symptoms.

While it’s true that memory loss and aging are fairly normal, there are certain things to look out for. One example? Ask yourself if your memory loss has ever affected your day-to-day life. Perhaps you forget about an important date, event, or even someone’s name. Or maybe you have found that you need to rely on memory aids, like to-do lists and pre-set alarms more and more frequently.

Anytime that memory loss begins to impede your daily life, it is a good idea to take note, speak to a friend or family member, or schedule an appointment with your doctor. Remember: while memory loss is normal, memory loss that affects your typical day is not.

Other memory loss issues related to Alzheimer’s disease include difficulty processing and retaining information, solving problems, making good financial decisions, trouble determining the time, date, or where you are at any given moment, misplacing objects or belongings, problems thinking of the right words to use, feelings of isolation or being withdrawn, as well as any changes in general mood or behaviour.

Knowing the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease can help you determine the difference between what is normal – and what you should keep an eye on.

So, can you actually tell the difference between Alzheimer’s and aging related memory loss? You can, but it is all about being aware.

The key is to understand that it isn’t whether or not memory loss is present. Instead, you need to determine how memory loss is affecting your life.

If you find that completing every tasks seems challenging or you begin to feel less social, this could signal a larger problem. In that case, it is important to speak up! Ignoring the issues won’t make it go away. By turning to friends, family members, and professionals, you can begin exercises to strengthen your brain and find ways to slow down the progression of memory related symptoms.

Memory loss can be scary, but it should never be ignored. As you age, it is more important than ever to understand the common symptoms of serious brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. This knowledge can help you seek out appropriate treatment and care options if necessary…. and get back to living your life.

Author: Dr. David Tal has more than twenty years of clinical experience. He manages the Age Matters Clinic in Toronto, Ontario.

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Do you know the Symptoms for Alcohol related dementia?

06/02Leave a Comment

DO YOU KNOW THE SYMPTOMS FOR ALCOHOL RELATED DEMENTIA?

Do you know the symptoms for alcohol related dementia– or did you know such a diagnosis existed? I was surprised, myself.

Shocking findings are now indicating that drinking alcohol – even in moderation – can cause Alzheimer’s in later life. A study reported by the BBC, monitored 1,300 women over the course of 20 years and discovered that cognitive impairment was more apparent in those who did consume alcohol, as opposed to those who did not.

Furthermore, it’s believed that alcohol can cause one in four cases of dementia, adding to an endless list of why alcohol is harmful to our bodies.

Alcohol related dementia

The type of Alzheimer’s known as Korsakoff’s Syndrome, is caused by a lack of thiamine – or Vitamin B1 -which results in brain cells being unable to function. Thiamine allows the cells to turn sugar into energy so that the brain can work properly and, without this, brain function deteriorates and Korsakoff’s Syndrome can develop.

This condition is caused by excess consumption of alcohol because those who misuse alcohol tend to have poor eating habits, which prevent them from getting Thiamine from their diet; thiamine can be found in nuts, grains and meat, so consuming a balanced diet is recommended.

However, more tellingly, alcohol can prevent the conversion of thiamine, thus preventing it from being used by brain cells.

Korsakoff’s Syndrome is also caused by other conditions, such as AIDS and other conditions linked to poor nutrition.

Early symptoms include changes in vision, for example, double or blurred vision. Symptoms can then progress into muscle and memory problems; muscle co-ordination will deteriorate and forming new memories and remembering old ones becomes difficult.

How to treat Korsakoff’s Syndrome

If you believe you’re suffering from the early signs of Korsakoff’s Syndrome, it’s vital that you seek professional medical help right away. As, with close monitoring and medication, the syndrome can be managed and prevented from getting much worse.

The majority of the symptoms can be alleviated by an injection of vitamin B1 into the muscle – this should prevent further damage. However, memory loss in this case is often permanent.

It’s also vital that the patient gives up alcohol immediately, so they may need to be admitted to inpatient care and treated for alcohol withdrawal if they have an issue with alcohol misuse. In addition, the patient will be encouraged to eat a full, healthy, balanced diet so that they have a constant supply of vitamin B1 in order for their brain function to return to normal.

To prevent Korsakoff’s Syndrome from happening, if you’re unwilling to reduce your alcohol consumption, vitamin B1 supplements are available, although a balanced diet is also an adequate way of getting the vitamin into your body.

Author: Laura Chapman

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