Spot early dementia

The elderly, who are suffering dementia, may not know that they have dementia.

It is especially hard for those who have been extremely independent and they have always been the ones helping or supporting others.

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When it is time for them to be supported by others, the change from being the helper to the burden of the family is really hard for them to accept.

When reality steps in and the doctors firmly declare the condition of dementia, they have to face their own condition and many may fall into depression since they cannot accept the fact.

Below is a short videoclip about recognising dementia to raise the awareness of the need for family members to give greater support.

Signs and symptoms

Dementia does not cause physical disability but it affects the memory part and its ability to recall.

It is true that not every elderly may face this but it can cause the decline of brain when one gets it.

It is often seemed in those above 60 years old.

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Awareness of dementia and its symptoms can make a positive difference to both patients and their family members.

• Unable to judgement correctly

• Difficulty in doing the once routine things

• Communication problems

• Place things at the wrong place

• Forgetfulness

• Poor planning and decline of problem-solving skills

• Isolation from work and social activities

• Time and place confusion

• Obvious personality changes

• Mood swing or behaviour changes

Prevention of dementia

Very often, we see retired people start to develop dementia when they do not use their brain often.

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Steemit is a great place for retired people to keep thinking what they can write daily and keep them writing new article with their brain actively exercising.

Below are some ideas for prevention:

• Keep mental activeness through reading, writing, playing cards or even play board games. Acquire new skills can keep the brain active and alert.

• Engage in healthy social activities like being a volunteer, join a club etc

• Eat healthily by having an increase intake of fruits and vegetables.

• Reduce sugar and salt intake and choose to low fat and saturated fat.

• Exercise regularly to keep good blood flow that can improve brain function.

• Reduce alcohol intake and quit smoking.

• Go for regular health checks

In conclusion

There is no elderly who choose to have dementia. As family members, we should give more care and support.

Encourage active use of their brain as suggested above.

For mild cases, we can even provide notes as reminders and take active steps to ensure their conditions can be under better control and monitoring.

Seeking for support and advice from those who have elderly with same condition can be useful.

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Seeking advice from doctors and how we can help our parents to prevent or slow down the process of dementia can be active steps that we can take.

Reference:

O’Connor, D., Phinney, A., Smith, A., Small, J., Purves, B., Perry, J., ... & Beattie, L. (2007). Personhood in dementia care: Developing a research agenda for broadening the vision. Dementia, 6(1), 121-142.

Nolan, M., Ryan, T., Enderby, P., & Reid, D. (2002). Towards a more inclusive vision of dementia care practice and research. Dementia, 1(2), 193-211.

McKeith, I. G., Dickson, D. W., Lowe, J., Emre, M., O'brien, J. T., Feldman, H., ... & Aarsland, D. (2005). Diagnosis and management of dementia with Lewy bodies third report of the DLB consortium. Neurology, 65(12), 1863-1872.

Finkel, S. I., e Silva, J. C., Cohen, G., Miller, S., & Sartorius, N. (1997). Behavioral and psychological signs and symptoms of dementia: a consensus statement on current knowledge and implications for research and treatment. International Psychogeriatrics, 8(S3), 497-500.

Disclaimer: This is my personal reflection and I am not in any position to instruct anyone what they should do. I am not responsible for any action taken as a result of this post. My post can only be a reference for your further research and growth. By reading this post, you acknowledge and accept that. All images and pictures were taken from google images that are free from copyright under labelled for reuse.

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Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://fun2learn.vornix.blog/2018/11/12/spot-early-dementia/

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