early diagnosis Archives - Alzheimers Support

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

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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Now You can have Alzheimer’s dementia and Live Longer and Remember Better

09/255 Comments

You can have Alzheimer’s and live longer

Having Alzheimer’s or Dementia doesn’t have to mean an instant death sentence or forgetting everyone and everything familiar within a decade.

Plenty of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia lead productive and happy lives for many years, even decades after diagnosis. On average, longevity of life after onset of Alzheimer’s is thought to be 20 years.

If you add the knowledge that early diagnosis extends those healthy years, 20 years may become 25-30 years. Then, Alzheimer’s isn’t quite so scary. So recognizing early symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia can lead to a longer and healthier life if proper diagnosis and treatment is begun at the earliest stages.

Early diagnosis means starting medication too slow Alzheimer’s progress sooner.

Early diagnosis means learning behavioral modifications that can lengthen productive years.

Though there is no cure, there are treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia. And some of those medications can slow the progress of this disease.

Previously, the thought of having Alzheimer’s or Dementia was so frightening that most people ignored the symptoms and delayed consultation with their family doctor.

A few physicians have ignored the signs, themselves, rather than give their patient a timely diagnosis of such dire circumstance. These actions can mean postponing the very medication that can extend productive years and slow the progression of both.

True, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or Dementia. But it is no longer an instant death sentence, nor does it have to mean years of living in a mindless maize of jumbled thoughts if an early diagnosis is achieved and proper medications and treatments begun.

“People aren’t recognizing the signs and going to the doctor’s office to be diagnosed early on. We’re finding it turns into a crisis later on,” said Lynn Moffat, the executive director of the Alzheimer Society of Kenora/Rainy River Districts. “It’s important to get early diagnosis. There’s a lot of support and there’s a lot of medication available to slow down (the process).”

So we need to acknowledge the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Be aware when your memory loss is more than normal aging.

See your doctor. Be aggressive, insist on tests for Alzheimer’s.

The sooner tested and diagnosed, the sooner you can start medication to slow the disease and live a longer and more productive life.

Watch for these warning signs and symptoms in yourself:

Difficulty performing familiar tasks
Memory Loss that affects day to day ability
Problems with language
Disorientation in time and space.
Impairment judgement
Problem with abstract thinking
Misplacing things (ie. putting a watch in the sugar bowl)
Changes in mood and behavior (ie. warm coat in the summer)
Changes in personality (ie. quick to anger)
Loss of initiative.

Watch for these signs and symptoms in a loved one:

You may notice these new behaviors in a loved one, occasionally at first, then more and more frequently as time goes on.

A loved one who was previously warm and friendly but suddenly seems more grouchy and agitated.
An outgoing person who laughs and jokes may suddenly turn his/her humor into inappropriate, sexual innuendo or mean accusations about another
The woman who prepared every family dinner can no longer create a casserole
The family financier often forgets to pay the bills.
The fastidious house keeper suddenly has junk mail on every surface.
The fashion fashionista wears the same dress or pant suit every day.
The ballerina or ballroom dancer may suddenly trip over their own feet.
The crowd loving person may suddenly prefer being home, alone.
The person may confuse all hand held devices, attempt to use the TV remote as a telephone.
Little energy to interact with other people and more and more often this person begins to isolate themself.

Recognize and Remember these signs and symptoms. Reach out to your physician if you have any questions regarding any of these symptoms. Get an early diagnoses.

Begin an early strategy to beat Alzheimer’s and Add many productive years to your life.
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10 Warning Signs of Memory-Loss that Disrupt Daily Life

09/235 Comments

To encourage early detection and diagnosis, the Alzheimer’s Association Website has listed 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s.

This is not the list of 7 Stages of Alzheimer’s but rather a list of “warning signs” that you may be vulnerable to Alzheimer’s and should visit your physician and make him aware of your symptoms of memory-loss.

This list of 10 Warning Signs is taken directly from the Alzheimer’s Association Website which states– Alzheimer’s Association

“Memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. It may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s, a fatal brain disease that causes a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. If you notice any of them, please see a doctor.”

Ten Warning Signs

1. Memory loss that disrupts family life

One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, especially forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.

What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

2. Challenges in planning or problem solving

Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.

What’s a typical age-related change? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

3. difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or at leisure

People with Alzheimer’s often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.

What’s a typical age-related change? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show

4. Confusion with time or place

People with Alzheimer’s can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.

What’s a typical age-related change? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

5. Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships

For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer’s. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.

What’s a typical age-related change? Vision changes related to cataracts.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing

People with Alzheimer’s may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a “watch” a “hand-clock”).

What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

7. misplacing things and losing ability to retrace steps

A person with Alzheimer’s disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.

What’s a typical age-related change? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

8. Decreased or poor judgment

People with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.

What’s a typical age-related change? Making a bad decision once in a while.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities

A person with Alzheimer’s may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.

What’s a typical age-related change? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

10. Changes in Mood or Personality

The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer’s can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.

What’s a typical age-related change? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should make an appointment with your family physician and let him know of your symptoms. There are medications to delay symptoms of Alzheimer’s if diagnosed early.

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