It is scary to think your parent might have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Both will reduce their quality of life. These conditions burden caregivers. Alzheimer’s disease is not treatable. Dementia may be treated. How can you tell if your parent is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia? What can you do?
You would get a diagnosis of dementia in your senior years. It is spotted in your 60’s or 70’s. You would need to have these traits for at least six months:
– Fading motor skills
– Impaired memory
– Inability to plan or think theoretically
– Cannot recognize or identify objects
– Heightened language difficulties
If these symptoms last for less than six months, they label it delirium. How often you see these traits can indicate how bad the dementia is. Another sign is the magnitude of the symptoms when they do occur.
Alzheimer’s disease is one type of dementia. For older people, it is the most common cause of dementia. Memory loss is the trademark of Alzheimer’s disease. The memory loss is extreme. An Alzheimer’s sufferer might not remember their way home from the market. This would be a trip they have made many times in the past.
Alzheimer’s usually is diagnosed much earlier. As early as 45. There is a steady loss of vital mental abilities. A person may live for years with this condition progressively getting worse. Getting to the point where the patient cannot take care of themselves.
There is another way Alzheimer’s disease and dementia differ. Dementia takes decades to develop. They are both slow and drawn out. However, Alzheimer’s takes over faster.
Dementia starts as cognitive decline at around age 35. Little by little your mind decays. You will most likely experience some form of dementia. If you live long enough, that is.
In large part, you are in control. Research shows you may be able to delay Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. You can reverse them if you catch them early enough. Lifestyle is a huge factor. Exercise and a good diet play a large part in brain health.
Brain training is another factor. The right brain training can create new pathways and strengthen old ones. It can mean the difference between dementia and a good quality of life for your parent’s golden years.
You may be able to put your parent’s brain back on track. How would you like for them to spend the limited time they have left on this earth?