January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month with the goal of helping to support those living with dementia and who provide care to those who are living with it.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia and right now, there is no cure. There are ways, though, to help slow the progression of the disease and help maintain a healthy life.
What exactly is dementia? , it isn't one specific disease, but rather a term for a set of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain. Dementia is caused when brain cells become damaged and eventually die. Other forms of dementia include Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Lewy-body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, mixed dementia and vascular dementia, which is the second-most common type behind Alzheimer's.
The Alzheimer's Society states that almost 40 per cent of people over the age of 65 will experience some sort of memory loss known as age-associated memory impairment. The society also notes that some people in their 40s and 50s can also develop symptoms of dementia known as young onset dementia.
It's predicted by the society that by 2030, around 1 million people could be diagnosed with some form of dementia.
The society also stated that there are ways to tell whether someone is suffering from the effects. For example, forgetting details of recent events as opposed to forgetting events from years ago is one, while another would be getting lost frequently instead of becoming lost occasionally. Unpredictable mood swings and difficulty in remembering to do everyday tasks such as shopping or paying bills are also signs.
One support provided by the society is called First Link, which is designed to connect people with the external support they require to begin navigating the health services and information that will assist both the person diagnosed and those involved in their care.
SA国际影视传媒淎 lot of families and caregivers find this really helpful because it gives them communication skills for when theySA国际影视传媒檙e dealing with the person and that kind of helps them to understand whatSA国际影视传媒檚 going on with them," said Shawna Gillis, navigator with the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories, Yellowknife chapter, in a previous interview with SA国际影视传媒 on the subject.
Gillis also said once that initial contact was established, programs such as the in-person care partner support group prove helpful as well as the LetSA国际影视传媒檚 Sing program. The latter program incorporates music and song into an interactive setting and gives participants the opportunity to revive long-term memories unaffected by the disease.
Some ways the society recommends helping to deal with a diagnosis include recognizing the variety of emotions you'll be going through, learning more about your condition, telling family and friends, and exploring treatment options. Planning for the future and taking care of yourself are other ways.
If you're a caregiver for someone who's living with dementia, the society has material to help you with what to expect as the disease progresses, how to understand the symptoms, providing day-to-day care and ensuring safety and security for someone suffering from the disease.
