Myths, Realities, Symptoms, and Questions – An Overview of Dementia and Aging By DEBORAH S. ALLEN, BS, MSW, CDP It is important to understand the definitions of dementia and aging and to explore their connections. Dementia is irreversible brain failure/brain death. Aging is the process of becoming older. It is the sequential or progressive change in an actual organism that leads to an increased risk of debility, disease, and death. Below are some common myths and realities regarding dementia and aging. Myth 1: Only Alzheimer’s causes dementia. Reality: Dementia is caused by over 80 different illnesses and conditions, including, but not limited to: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, strokes, severe brain damage, and mixed dementias. (Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60% to 80% of cases.) Myth 2: Extreme memory loss is a natural part of aging. Reality: As people age, it’s normal to have occasional memory problems (“senior moments”). Because older individuals have many, many years of memories, memory retrieval may take longer. Usually, older adults will work on remembering names and experiences they have temporarily forgotten. Someone with dementia-related memory loss usually doesn’t try to retrieve memories. Their memory loss is more obvious and frequent. Myth 3: Only older people get dementia. Reality: Dementia can affect people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, or even 50s. However, dementia-related illnesses are more common in older adults.
Reality: Current available medications do not cure dementia. These medications may assist with treating some of the symptoms. Extensive research and testing are focused on finding a viable cure for dementia and are ongoing. Myth 6: Persons with dementia have minimal interest in intimacy. Reality: When the mind, behavior, and physical abilities are altered by dementia and age, the need for companionship, affection/ intimacy, and sexual desire may exist well after other capacities have declined. There are multiple symptoms of dementia: Memory Loss – Memory loss tends to be the symptom most commonly associated with dementia. It can be pervasive and, with disease progression, the loss of memories shortens. For example, an individual with dementia can ask a question and forget the response a few moments later. Memory loss works in a backward progression. Recent memories fade more quickly, but past, long-term memories can be retained for longer time periods. Repetition – Someone with dementia may constantly repeat stories and questions. Loss of interest/focus – Persons with dementia may have a shorter attention span. Focusing on a lengthy, more complex book or program may be impossible.
Myth 4: Dementia is not fatal. Reality: Dementia has no survivors. It destroys brain cells. Eventually this leads to the loss of key body functions and death.
Poor judgment –All individuals have instances where their judgment may not have been the best. For individuals with dementia, poor judgment is often more extreme. For example, leaving an indoor location in the middle of winter without a coat or footwear or wandering away from home without a known destination show extremely poor judgment.
Myth 5: There are vaccines or treatments available to cure dementia.
Falling – Falls may occur because of altered senses of balance and spatial awareness that can occur with dementia.
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