Dementia is not one specific disease, and it is not a normal part of getting older. Rather, a broad term that includes the impact of a variety of different medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, fronto-temporal dementia, posterior cortical atrophy (PCA), and dementia associated with head injury, HIV or alcohol.
The effects of dementia vary, but generally it affects mood, memory, thinking and behaviour. Dementia can happen to anybody, however it is more common after the age of 65. There is currently no known cure for dementia, but there are treatments for many of the symptoms, and support is available including physical and cognitive therapies.
Dementia: myth vs fact
Not everything said about dementia is supported by evidence.
Myth: dementia is a normal part of ageing
Fact: dementia is not a normal part of ageing
Dementia is a brain condition that can affect anyone. Not all older people will develop dementia.
Myth: dementia and Alzheimer's disease are the same
Fact: Alzheimer's disease is just one type of dementia
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. But dementia isn't one specific disease. More than 100 conditions can cause dementia.
Myth: only elderly people get dementia
Fact: anyone can be diagnosed with dementia
If you're diagnosed with dementia when you're under 65, it's known as younger onset dementia. It's estimated that almost 29,000 Australians live with younger onset dementia, including people in their 30s, 40s and 50s.
Myth: dementia is just being forgetful
Fact: dementia is not just forgetfulness
Dementia affects everyone uniquely. It can affect your thinking, mood and behaviour as well as memory, enough to interfere with your social or work life. Memory loss in dementia is different from sometimes forgetting things. It is persistent and progressive, not just occasional.
Myth: aluminum causes dementia
Fact: there is no evidence that aluminium causes dementia
Numerous scientific studies have explored this, and the scientific consensus is that aluminium plays no specific role in causing Alzheimer's disease.
Myth: coconut oil cures dementia
Fact: there is no evidence that coconut oil cures dementia.
People have suggested that components in coconut oil could treat or cure Alzheimer's disease. But there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
Myth: cold showers prevent dementia
Fact: there is no evidence that cold showers prevent dementia.
There is evidence suggesting inflammation or poor blood supply to the brain affects Alzheimer's disease, and these processes could be impacted by temperature. But there is no proven link between bathing in cold water and protection against any form of dementia.
Five ways to create a dementia friendly future from Dementia Australia
Dementia Action Week is in September each year and Dementia Australia is encouraging everyone to learn more about dementia and how we can all help shape our communities for the better. Here are five actions to create a dementia-friendly future.
Raise your awareness and understanding
Around two-thirds of people living with dementia live in the community. Learning more about dementia can help you support them. A lack of knowledge and understanding of dementia may lead to people living with dementia experiencing stigma and discrimination in the community.
People living with dementia are often told they ‘Don’t look like they have dementia’ because they don’t present, speak or act in a way the community expects. What people can’t see they don’t understand and what they don’t understand they tend to avoid.
Include, encourage, empower
Create opportunities for people living with dementia to contribute so they stay connected and engaged in their communities. Communities play a critical role in encouraging inclusivity, respecting the rights of people with dementia and facilitating access to the services, supports, activities and spaces to which every Australian is entitled.
Try to create opportunities for people living with dementia to contribute. This helps individuals stay connected and engaged in the community. People living with dementia can still participate in many activities, have hobbies and engage with community groups. Take the time to find out what someone might like to get involved in and how, and if they might need a little extra support in order to participate.
Sometimes the simple act of asking can make someone feel included, encouraged and empowered.
Communication is key
Listen to people living with dementia with respect and an open mind. Body language can show that you are engaged and present. How people living with dementia will communicate may change over time and even from day to day. The more you can listen with respect and an open mind, the better you can adapt to changing needs.
There are simple actions you can take to make someone living with dementia feel heard and included.
Invite someone with dementia to share their ideas. Notice when someone needs more time or space to be an active contributor to the conversation.
Take time to find things you may have in common and ask questions which could lead to an inclusive conversation, such as ‘what made you want to move to this town?’.
Be in the moment and listen with the heart.
You may need to use hand gestures and facial expressions to make yourself understood. Body language can show that you are engaged and present.
If the person living with dementia is in the later stages of dementia or has difficulty communicating, there can still be moments of joy.
Look out for moments when the person can engage with you or can react to things around them such as a favourite smell or music and explore the world through a different perspective. There are also activities that can spark joy such as listening to music or looking at photos.
Make your environment dementia-friendly
People living with dementia often have different sensory perceptions and their immediate environment can have a large impact on their wellbeing. The built environment can have a significant impact on people living with dementia, but their needs are rarely considered in urban or environmental planning, design and construction.
Use unambiguous seating design (for example, chairs should look like chairs)
Use high-contrast design features (for example, consider different coloured toilet seats, distinctive buttons for flushing and, in public restrooms, signage on the inside of the exit door to differentiate it from a toilet cubicle door)
Avoid sudden changes in light level since shadows can be confusing
Use clear signage that allows for line-of-sight orientation, and which uses words and pictures
For businesses and community organisations, consider inclusion of ‘quiet spaces’ in refurbishments and new buildings
Additionally, the considered use of music and lighting can make a profound difference to how people react in some spaces. Taking actions to make it easier for people living with dementia may also benefit people with sensory or physical challenges. After all, a dementia-friendly environment is one that is better for everyone in the community.
Look out for people in your community
Find ways to connect and introduce yourself to people in your community. Simple gestures like saying ‘hello’ and showing kindness can make a big difference. Look for ways to connect and introduce yourself to people in your community who may be impacted by dementia.
It can also be helpful to introduce yourself each time you meet with a simple greeting using both your name and theirs, such as ‘Hi Joan, it’s Chris from the hair salon, how are you?’
If someone has stepped away from your services or community group, see if you can check in and see how they’re going. There may be some simple actions you can take to support them to return.
Feeling Forgetful – is it midlife brain fog or younger onset dementia?
Two thirds of women experience brain fog as a symptom of perimenopause and menopause, due to fluctuating and reduction of hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone.
Symptoms may include forgetting names, losing train of thought, struggling to concentrate, and feeling mentally exhausted.
It can be a frightening as women may worry about dementia. However, it is worth knowing that mid-life brain fog has different symptoms to younger onset dementia.
The symptoms of dementia are typically more consistent. Younger onset dementia can affect the way a person communicates, remembers, makes judgements, and navigates social situations - and over time it unfortunately gets worse.
Fortunately, the experts believe they are temporary, short-lived episodes or moments.
Most women who have concerns about their brain health during this time still perform within normal ranges on neuro-psychological tests, often used in screening for dementia.
There are hormone receptors everywhere in the body including the brain. During perimenopause – typically 5-10 years leading up to menopause – there are fewer eggs left in the ovaries and the body works harder to get them out. This can result in the creation of much higher levels of estrogen than usual, or very little, progesterone also fluctuates, and testosterone levels gradually decline. Once menopause is reached (12 months of no period) there is consistently low estrogen, testosterone and progesterone. For some women brain fog is more of a feature as hormone levels are transitional, and for others it persists.
If brain fog symptoms are leading to distress or substantially impacting daily functioning, women should speak to a healthcare professional for assessment and potential discussion for menopausal hormone therapy (MHT).
For more on menopause, look out for our next feature article.
For more information about dementia visit: https://www.dementia.org.au/
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