How Do I Stop Dementia?

When Don reached out to my office he was lonely and depressed.  He asked if we could meet for coffee to discuss senior living options. His first question was “How do I stop dementia?” I told him that prevention is about lifestyle. Eating healthy is important, staying physically active on a daily basis, and regularly engaging with family and friends.  He looked at me and said “I’m screwed!”  His wife had died several years ago.  His diet was fast food and frozen meals. His exercise was walking to the mailbox, and he only socialized on holidays when his family came into town.

Dementia is a catch all term used to describe memory impairment and issues with reasoning, thinking, language and problem solving. There are many kinds of dementia. Dementia can start slowly and get worse over time (a characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease) or appear suddenly (a sign of vascular dementia). The disease process of the different dementias can vary, but it eventually affects activities of daily living and impairs a person’s ability to work, socialize and maintain relationships. 

Everyone forgets things at times.  But Don was experiencing symptoms beyond misplacing his glasses. He got lost walking to Walgreens. He found his wallet in the refrigerator and he was snapping at the McDonalds employees when placing his order.  I also noticed that he was mixing up words such as “candy” instead of “medicine”.  

There are many medical conditions that can cause dementia like symptoms. Some problems such as infections, vitamin deficiencies, emotional disorders, medication side effects, head traumas and brain diseases can often be treated. Since Don did not have a formal dementia diagnosis, we discussed questions that included: Have you had a major loss or stressful event in our life?  Have you started any new drugs? When did you first notice memory problems? Do you feel depressed or anxious? Have you had recent falls or accidents? 

Don needed to see his doctor. We arranged for a primary care visit to start the process. He was them referred to a neurologist. A physical exam, blood work, brain imaging and Q&A tests were conducted. Getting the diagnosis was important, even if the results can be challenging. It helped us craft a plan of action that included determining future care and living preferences, getting his estate plan in order and educating his family about the disease. Don also decided that an assisted living community that could accommodate his current need for independence and also his potential future need for memory care was his best option. 

Some people try to cover up their struggles with memory problems. Don was not one of those guys. We talked about how coming to terms with a dementia diagnosis can be difficult.  Don said “I plan on forgetting about the chazerai (junk) in my life first! I’ll hang on to the good stuff as long as I can…” I like to keep track of how people find help from our CarePatrol office. Don told me that he read something I wrote about “Helping Seniors Finish Strong” that resonated with him. He didn’t remember anything about the article, but he had put “Finish Strong” on a post it note on his fridge with my phone number. He knew that much of the next stage in his dementia journey would be out of his control, and he wanted someone that understood what his future may hold to help him through it.  I’m grateful to be a part of it.

Aging and finding appropriate care in today’s environment can be overwhelming. Your family may benefit from Eric Klein’s senior living expertise and access to assisted living, memory care and in-home care options. If you need FREE help finding care for a senior, you can reach Eric Klein, CSA, CPRS at CarePatrol 847.653.1213 eklein@carepatrol.com