The first signs may seem minor — lost car keys, a misplaced checkbook. But then a kitchen fire caused by a pot forgotten on the stove or an angry reaction to not being able to find the right word makes it clear this is no minor problem and may, in fact, be a sign of dementia.
According to information provided by Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama, a nonprofit resource center serving 21 counties in central Alabama, dementia is the progressive loss of intellectual functions. Though often used synonymously with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease actually causes nerve cell death, which leads to dementia. It is not the only cause, however. Multiple “ministrokes” or “warning strokes,” known as transient ischemic attacks, are often responsible for dementia as well.
Regardless of the cause, dementia gradually destroys a person’s memory and his or her ability to carry out daily activities, including making judgments and communicating.
Because there is no single test to determine if dementia is caused by Alzheimer’s disease, a physician uses medical history, physical exams, medical tests and even information provided by family members to assess memory and overall memory function, said Kathleen Miller, a certified dementia trainer and program coordinator for the partial hospital at Regional Medical Center in Anniston.
“A physician uses every avenue available to determine a patient’s physical health and to rule out all other problems before diagnosing dementia,” Miller said. This is important since symptoms of dementia can be attributed to other conditions, such as depression, medication side effects, thyroid conditions or even nutritional imbalances, all of which are treatable, she said.
If Alzheimer’s is the cause, then the initial symptoms vary widely. Often the first sign of Alzheimer’s is forgetfulness, and it is usually a spouse or child who first notices the change. For Elizabeth Startley of Cool Springs, who helped care for her mother for more than 18 years, it was her father who started noticing changes in her mother’s behavior.
Recognizing symptoms
“Mother began to have difficulty cooking, forgetting recipes and leaving pots unattended on the stove,” Startley said. “When my father complained that she was saying mean and hateful things to him, I thought it was him. That [kind of behavior] wasn’t like my mother.” Startley’s mother was exhibiting classic symptoms of dementia, according to Vance Holder, program coordinator for Alzheimer’s of Central Alabama.
“Alzheimer’s progresses in phases, almost like the reverse of the life cycle,” Holder said. “An individual may start driving one place and end up in another or she may misplace the checkbook, and that’s where caregivers see the beginning stages of the disease.”
Holder said that education is critical to receiving the best treatment for patients and support for their caregivers. “Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease, and there are medications that can help people function better longer,” he said. “But the unfortunate reality is that there is no cure.”
Ultimately Alzheimer’s patients require help with dressing, personal hygiene, eating and other basic functions. But the journey to the end stages of the disease is challenging.
According to the national Alzheimer’s Association, changes in personality and behavior, including anxiety, hostility or aggression and even delusions, are common as the disease progresses. And because an estimated 70 percent of people with Alzheimer’s live at home, the physical, emotional and financial strain on caregivers can be overwhelming.
Holder said support groups and respite care are vital for caregivers, some of whom are providing 24-hour care seven days a week.
“At a support group meeting, caregivers can talk to people who are at different points in the progression of the disease,” he said. “In addition, respite care gives the caregivers a break so they don’t wear out before their loved one does.”
From a ministry standpoint, Miller said it is important for church families to remember members who are absent because they are providing care for loved ones.
Ministering to caregivers
“A lot of people who have been active church members and who garnered a lot of support from their church families lose that system of support when they can’t attend,” she said. “However, that’s the time when the family really needs that spiritual connection.”
Startley said members of her church family at the former Trinity Baptist Church in St. Clair County helped her by sitting with her mother so she could attend church with her husband and in other circumstances beyond attending church. Their cards, visits and food gifts also reminded Startley and her family that they were not forgotten.
“A dedicated church family can do miracles by praying for and helping each other,” Startley said.
Miller also noted the necessity of recognizing spiritual needs. “We have to realize that while a person may be losing their mental abilities, they still have their souls,” she said. “It’s important not to forget that.”
For more information, visit the Alzheimer’s Association Web site at www.alz.org.
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