Dementia Archives - Page 8 of 8

More to Dementia than Memory Loss
Dear Mary, The doctor says my mother has dementia. I understand that the dementia makes her forgetful, which is why I moved her in with me, my wife and children. But she is constantly trying to get out of the house and says she wants to go home. Even in the middle of the night, she wanders all over the house. Would it help to post signs up at the doors reminding her that she is home? More to Dementia than Memory Loss
Dear Reader, Memory loss is only one aspect of dementia. Wandering is very common and can be caused by many factors.
Individuals with dementia wander when in an unfamiliar setting or when the setting is overwhelming. Constant noise, such as from a television left on, can be overstimulating and individuals may search for a safe, quiet area.
Persons with dementia are often searching for something, although they may not remember what they are searching for. They may be looking for the bathroom or for something to eat. Oftentimes, they wander because they are bored or because they are reacting to old memories, such as going to work or to the grocery store.
Wandering in itself is not necessarily bad, as long as the individual is in a safe environment. Ensure there are no safety hazards in the house (scatter rugs and extension cords she could trip over) and make sure the house is well lit. If you have stairs, put a gate at the top to prevent falling.

Make sure that she is unable to unlock the doors to go outside; you may need to put a deadbolt toward the top of the door. You can also add door knob safety covers on outside doors. Sometimes a dark-colored floor mat in front of the door will deter someone with dementia from venturing out.
In addition to living with her dementia, the move to your home has added to her confusion. Wanting to go home is also a common expression and a desire for safety and familiarity. Instead of correcting her and trying to orient her to the current living situation, go “home” with her by asking about her memories. What kinds of flowers did she grow? What was her favorite room?
Dear Mary, My father-in-law moved in with us after his wife died. He had been diagnosed with dementia within the past year but had been functioning quite well when his wife was the caregiver. Now, however, he seems to have lost interest in doing anything for himself, including bathing. That has become a big issue. His body odor is terrible and he wears the same clothes for a week or more. My husband is uncomfortable with the whole situation, and I just don’t know how to deal with it.
Dear Reader, The loss of you father’s-in-law wife and his home may be contributing to depression, in addition to his diagnosis of dementia. Please let his physician know what behaviors you are noticing so a determination can be made if medication may help him through this tough time.
Bathing often becomes an issue of individuals living with dementia. While many physicians recommend older adults shower or bathe at least once a week to reduce the risk of infections, there are many different avenues we can use to provide hygiene care. In your father’s-in-law situation, it might be helpful for your husband to encourage his father to bathe with your assistance behind the scenes.
Rather than make an issue out of bathing, be matter-of-fact in the presentation — “It’s Friday, Dad. Let’s wash up before we go get pizza.” Make sure the bathroom is warm and is ready with towels, soap, and water already at the right temperature. Have his clean clothes ready. If your father-in-law is able to wash himself, allow for privacy. Follow up this routine with positive reinforcement.
I recently spoke with another caregiver who experienced a similar situation. She hired a home care worker who was able to get her father into a hygiene routine with very little resistance. If this is a situation that neither you nor your husband are comfortable to tackle, you may want to look into hiring some in-home assistance.
Mary Chaput at the Department of Aging and Disabilities in Annapolis, MD

Easing Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Whether a patient faces a simple health problem, such as a head cold, or one as complex as Alzheimer’s disease, easing the symptoms is often as important as resolving the issue itself. Yet for the more than 5 million Americans affected by Alzheimer’s, treating the symptoms is even more vital. Easing symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Some of the early signs of Alzheimer’s include memory loss that disrupts daily life, mood and personality changes, and difficulty solving otherwise simple daily tasks.
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Of the top 10 causes of death, it is the only one for which there is no cure or preventive measure. However, research suggests that addressing one early facet of the disease – decreased blood sugar in brain cells, also known as diminished cerebral glucose metabolism (DCGM) – may help relieve symptoms for certain people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.
In a healthy brain, glucose is the primary energy source. A brain affected by Alzheimer’s doesn’t process glucose into energy as efficiently as a healthy brain.
“Unlike other cells in the body that can metabolize fats as fuel, brain cells rely on glucose (sugar) for their primary energy source,” says Dr. Richard S. Isaacson, associate professor of clinical neurology and vice chair of education at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. “One aspect of Alzheimer’s is that it hinders the brain’s ability to use glucose, and this significantly affects brain function.”
“DCGM is an early feature of Alzheimer’s disease, represented by region-specific declines in brain glucose – or energy – metabolism,” Isaacson says. “DCGM correlates with both the cognitive decline and the pathology associated with Alzheimer’s. Research suggests that addressing DCGM may help mitigate symptoms for some patients.”
Providing brain cells with an alternative energy source may help ease the effects of DCGM, while enhancing memory and cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients. One prescription-only medical food aims at helping Alzheimer’s patients by addressing DCGM – Axona by Accera, Inc.
The easy-to-mix, once-daily drink is currently the only prescription therapy for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s that addresses the link between the brain’s inability to process and use glucose with the degenerative symptoms of Alzheimer’s by providing the brain with an alternative energy source. The liver digests and metabolizes Axona to produce the naturally occurring compounds – ketones- that the brain can use as an alternative energy source. Patients or caregivers mix the powder with other liquids or foods and take it once a day in conjunction with commonly prescribed Alzheimer’s medications.
“More research is necessary to determine the exact reasons why DCGM can have profound effects on cognition over the long term,” Isaacson says. “When blood glucose drops rapidly, significant decline in cognitive function occurs and may be accompanied by confusion, coma and even brain death.”
While Axona is not a cure for Alzheimer’s, it can help some patients mitigate the symptoms of the disease. Doctors and caregivers of patients using Axona have reported patients appear more alert and engaged in daily activities and conversations. “If you or a family member experience symptoms such as poor short-term memory, changes in behavior and difficulty with language, see your doctor for a full evaluation,” says Isaacson.

Dementia

More to Dementia than Memory Loss

Easing Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease