More Fuel for the Fire!!

Last week I wrote about the importance of getting a diagnosis if you or a loved one is having significant issues with memory. This week I want to add “fuel to that fire”, again stressing the importance of a diagnosis for a variety of diagnoses. It is important not to always assume that memory issues are caused by “old age” or stress. Significant memory issues are, a majority of the time, caused by neurological issues, most often dementia. However, there are plenty of other health issues that mimic the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Hence – getting a diagnosis is absolutely imperative even if only to rule out reversible causes (though there are certainly many other reasons to get a diagnosis, too).

First of all, there are medication side effects which can cause confusion, memory loss and personality changes. These medications include but are not limited to Benadryl, sleeping pills, Aleve, Darvon, Valium, Xanax, Risperdal, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Lipitor, Detrol, Ditropan, Zantac, some blood pressure and heart drugs, Parkinson’s drugs and some stomach drugs.

Other possible causes for confusion and memory issues include:
• Exposure to high levels of iron, lead and copper
• Heavy alcohol consumption for long periods
• Urinary tract infections
• Depression
• Blockages in tiny blood vessels in the brain known as “silent emboli”. High blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes all raise the risk for such silent emboli as do many common surgical procedures. The damage they cause can’t be reversed but experts say reducing risk factors may prevent further harm.
• Vitamin and hormone deficiencies
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus

Again, this is not an exhaustive list, but hopefully it’s enough to spur those with significant memory issues on to be tested. Even if the diagnosis is dementia, it’s important to remember that though there is no cure, there are many treatments that can lead to greater quality of life.

The Importance of Independence

Happy 4th of July to All. This is a great day when we in the United States celebrate our independence and all the freedoms that go with it. We’re fortunate to have this independence as so many of the world’s 195 countries continue to fight for theirs.

Most of us want to be independent in our own lives, too. We want to be able to essentially do what we want when we want to do it and we want the abilities that enable us to do this. For a person recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, this wish for independence certainly does not cease. If anything, it increases. For those of us who have friends or loved ones who are in this situation, it’s important for us to do whatever we can to encourage and enable them to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. There
are a number of ways in which we can do this.

1. First of all, we can and should continue to treat them as adults – not necessarily lessen our expectations but change them to meet their abilities. It’s particularly important to focus on their strengths – what they CAN do, not what they are no longer able to do.

2. Encourage them to get help with some of their daily tasks such as mowing the lawn and cleaning the house. This can free them up for doing more enjoyable things and give them time to do the things that are absolutely necessary.

3. Help them to use memory aids such as lists, post-it notes, signs and a calendar. This will also give them more time and less stress.

4. Work with your loved ones to check out the safety of their living spaces. Do they need to add grab bars? Remove unsafe throw rugs? Use appliances with automatic shut-offs? Reducing the incidence of falls and promoting safety can certainly keep them independent for longer.

5. Ensure that they take the correct medications at the right time. You might need to help them set up a reminder system such as a daily call from a friend.

6. Encourage them to stay active. One of the worst things they can do is to isolate and stop getting out and being with friends and relatives. They need to maintain those relationships which are most important to them.

7. Encourage them to get support. Call the local Alzheimer’s Association. Join an early memory loss support group. Talk to their friends about their situation.

8. Last but by no means least, encourage them to engage in regular physical fitness activities, eat nutritiously, work to reduce stress and stay cognitively active with a wide array of mentally stimulating activities.

I hope that you find some of these ideas helpful and that you assist those dealing with memory loss to stay as independent as possible on this day when independence is at the forefront of our minds. Offering a little bit of help and encouragement at this crucial time can go a long ways to helping them stay independent!