Lacking the mental or physical energy to concentrate
Losing things frequently
Lack of focus
Making careless mistakes
Inability to perform complicated tasks
Inability to make decisions
People with dementia may also struggle with a lack of concentration making it one of the warning signs of the progressive illness.
It mostly happens in the early stages of the illness through to the mild and moderate stages.
As the disease progresses, the attention a person gives to a conversation, topic, or goal-oriented task like counting money correctly or cleaning the kitchen decreases.
Initially, individuals with dementia may appear to be distracted when doing tasks they once handled with ease.
This can be anything from planning a family trip or completing their favorite puzzle.
As the disease continues to progress, affected individuals may find it challenging to complete simple day-to-day tasks like making breakfast or even dressing up properly.
To date, scientists have not yet discovered a cure for dementia.
However, it is possible to deal with some of the symptoms that people with dementia showcase to help them lead more quality lives. Homewatch CareGivers recommend a variety of cognitive exercises that can help individuals with their ability to concentrate.
This is helpful for everyone who is asking if lack of concentration a sign of dementia? Some of the exercises that can improve the concentration levels of a person who has dementia include:
Creating a Set of Opposite Cards
Carers can help persons with dementia by creating cards with images of opposites. For instance, one card can have an image of ice while the other can have one of fire.
Another set can have salt and sugar and so forth. Shuffle the cards and lay the images on a table ensuring that the person can see the opposites.
The individual with dementia should be asked to try and match the images with their opposites.
Caregivers can also create a set of shapes and heart cards. Set the cards on the table and let the individual with dementia study the location of the cards.
Turn them upside down and ask the person to find matches based on their memory of the location of the cards.
While engaging in these activities, caregivers need to monitor the amount of time their loved ones spend on the activities before something else distracts them.
The primary aim of the exercises is to improve if not maintain the concentration times. At times, caregivers may be forced to redirect the person with dementia to help them focus on a single task.
Remember to use persuasive language and a calm tone so that they do not feel like they are being pressurized to do something.
Caregivers can offer to explain the activity again for clarification or restate the previous directions.
How Doctors Diagnose Lack of Concentration
If a person is not too sure they are experiencing a lack of concentration a visit to the doctor can help with the diagnosis.
The professional can carry out a range of tests to find out if a person is indeed suffering from a lack of concentration and whether dementia is behind this.
Some of the tests physicians conduct include:
Blood tests
CT scans
EEG (electroencephalography): this measures the scalp’s electrical activity
Doctors normally start by gathering information about a person’s health history while discussing how they are feeling.
The physician may ask a couple of questions such as when the individual first noticed the changes in concentration levels and whether the concentration is becoming better or worse.
Doctors may also review any supplements, medications, and herbs that a person may be taking to determine if they are negatively affecting concentration.
If there are some drugs causing a lack of concentration the doctor may change them.
Keep in mind that diagnosing the inability to concentrate may require more evaluation and time.
There are multiple different approaches to the best dementia anxiety treatment practices that are crucial for an individual with the disease.
Anxiety is one of the behavioral conditions that many people with dementia experience.
Studies estimate that about 25%-70% of the dementia population showcases anxiety symptoms.
Anxiety in Dementia
Anxiety can be described as a feeling of nervousness, apprehension, worry, or unease about something/ an uncertain outcome.
Often, this is usually healthy and normal emotion. The problem only comes in when an individual continually feels an inappropriate anxiety level to the extent that it becomes a medical disorder.
Anxiety symptoms are known to alter how a person behaves and processes emotions. For some, they can also lead to physical symptoms.
Quality of life diminishes for persons who have dementia and anxiety, and they typically have more challenges with their day-to-day activities.
This is in comparison to the ones who have dementia without anxiety.
Nonetheless, the association between anxiety and the decline of dementia is still not crystal clear.
Best Dementia Anxiety Treatment Options
There is no debate that anxiety is the cause of negative consequences for caregivers and people with dementia.
It is the reason affected individuals are constantly seeking the most effective dementia anxiety treatment methods.
Below we shed some light on some of the best practices that people can follow to deal with anxiety in persons who have dementia efficiently.
Pharmacological Treatment
Doctors might recommend some type of drugs to help deal with anxiety like:
Anxiolytics
The drugs are prescribed to persons who have severe responses to anxiety-like emotional outbursts and panic attacks.
The medications kick in to keep a person relaxed and calm. It’s important to note that the drugs can be habit-forming.
They are also associated with side effects like drowsiness and slowed breathing that can become worse over time.
For this reason, doctors advise that a person should not take the drugs more than two weeks consecutively.
Seniors especially can be sensitive to the side effects; hence, they need close monitoring when they are taking the medication.
Benzodiazepines are examples of some of the medications that people with anxiety can take for a short while. People who cannot take Benzodiazepines for one reason or another may be put on helpful antidepressants.
Medics usually choose the medication that a person will take depending on their side effect profile, potential cognitive perks, and at times potential to address insomnia.
Antidepressants
In most cases, anxiety is commonly present with depression. When this is the case, taking antidepressants can offer a person plenty of benefits.
Because there are multiple antidepressants in the market, it is important to get guidance from a professional doctor on the specific ones to take.
Be sure to report any side effects so that the professional can give direction on whether to stop or continue taking the drugs.
Antipsychotics
Some elderly persons with dementia and anxiety fail to show therapeutic responses to benzodiazepine and antidepressant treatment.
In such special cases, the use of antipsychotics may be advisable to help manage anxiety in dementia.
Therapies
People who have dementia and anxiety can also benefit from various therapies to help get rid of anxiety.
These are therapies that have relaxation and supportive components as they usually do a commendable job when it comes to dementia anxiety treatment. Examples of therapies that a person can try out include:
Music Therapy
There is evidence that music therapy directed by a qualified professional helps to reduce agitation, which is one of the anxiety symptoms.
CBT (Cognitive Behavior Therapy)
It is one of the psychological therapies that help many prevent the occurrence of anxiety. It assists the person with dementia and anxiety to evaluate thinking about the challenges they face.
This teaches them to change the way they think as well as their reactions to various situations.
IPT (Interpersonal Therapy)
This is also helpful for treating different types of anxiety. It helps individuals to discover fresh ways of getting along with other people.
This also allows them to perform better in terms of resolving losses, conflict, and changes in relationships.
Pet Therapy
People who have dementia and anxiety can also benefit from pet therapy.
The therapy can include companions from pets like trained dogs, cats, fish aquariums, and bird aviaries, etc.
Domestic animals are particularly helpful when it comes to reducing feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and boredom.
Other benefits that a person can enjoy spending quality time with pets they love include:
This is a yoga technique that seeks to bring people together so that they can share in the joys of laughter.
Laughter Incorporated reckons that there are over seven hundred laughter clubs in seventy countries.
This type of yoga combines intentional yogic breathing and laughter. Laughter for no reason is the main focus.
This is because the body does not know the difference between fake and real laughter thus can benefit from both without a problem. Inducing laughter can help reduce anxiety.
Some studies suggest that laughter can have the same effects as antipsychotic medications without side effects.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
This is another effective dementia anxiety treatment option. It is a non-invasive way of using magnetism on the brain.
It has been known to treat anxiety in dementia, where a person will not respond to various medications and therapies.
Because it is still relatively new, more research and clinical trials still need to be conducted to give conclusive reports.
This said the treatment has been used successfully on many persons who have dementia.
Person-Centered Care
Individualized care can help offer some relief to anxious people. It is especially beneficial for people with mild anxiety.
It helps to offer a listening ear to know what is happening in a person’s life.
From here, one can offer reassurance to calm down the person with dementia.
If they agree to be touched, caregivers should hug or hold their hands to remind them that they are safe and they can ask for help anytime.
It’s vital to check the emotional triggers that might be behind the anxiousness.
These could be things like the person feeling thirsty, hunger, wearing uncomfortable clothes, feeling pain, being too cold, hot, or need to use the washrooms.
If this is the case, offer practical solutions immediately like giving them a drink, food, snack, blanket, or change of clothes depending on the situation.
At this point, it is vital to identify activities that they love to keep them engaged so that they have something pleasant to look forward to.
Working Out
Exercise also works as part of the dementia anxiety treatment plan. Working out helps to ease anxiety. Exercising does not have to be at the gym under a professional trainer.
Going out for walks, dancing, or a little gardening also counts as working out. Aerobic exercises, in particular, may be as effective as taking antidepressants.
Massages and deep breathing exercises can also offer some form of relief.
Cutting background noises from the radio or TV can create a calmer space.
It is also important that they have a better structure for daily life, including activities that the individual finds meaningful.
Getting rid of clutter might make daily tasks more manageable. The use of night-lights or low-lighting can also help a person with anxiety feel less afraid and confused at night.
Joining Support Groups
Becoming a member of a support group can prove to be invaluable for a person who has dementia anxiety. It helps them meet other people who are in a similar situation.
This can help a person to feel more calm or relaxed because they get to understand that they are not the only ones with the problem.
The meeting sessions prove to be useful in terms of reducing anxiety and improving mood.
The groups also act as impactful resource centers where individuals can find heaps of information they can use to manage anxiety effectively.
Dementia Anxiety Treatment Closing Thoughts
Trying out different dementia anxiety treatment methods is crucial for a person with dementia.
This helps identify the most successful ones to help improve the life of the suffering individual significantly.
Before attempting any treatment option, it is important to consult a doctor to get the green light to go ahead.
The expert can also recommend the proper mix of drugs and caregiving tips to work with.
Very well Health defines agitation as a general term that describes the excessive verbal activity and physical movement.
Most people will experience agitation in the middle stages of dementia. Agitation can include pacing, restlessness, combativeness, verbal aggression, wandering, calling out, and crying.
Below we will look into the causes of agitation, prevention strategies, and coping mechanisms.
Causes of Agitation in Persons with Dementia
People with dementia may experience agitation for various reasons such as:
Different medical conditions a person is suffering from in addition to dementia
Fatigue or fear that may be as a result of trying to make sense of their new reality
Misperceived threats
Being forced to do something by others, for instance, to remember events or people
Loneliness or reduced social contact
A feeling of loss, for example, a person may be missing the freedom they had to move about
Coping with Agitation and Aggression
When taking care of a person who has agitation and dementia, it may be advisable to consult a doctor for a thorough medical check-up.
The professional will recommend treatment based on a careful diagnosis that helps them to determine possible causes. In some instances, the doctor may prescribe medication that will help reduce agitation.
Sadly, most medicines come with a wide range of side effects such as stroke, heart problems, risk of falls, or even death.
People can also try non-drug therapies to help manage agitation such as:
Touch therapy
Physical touch is important when it comes to diminishing agitation.
Music
Listening to music or singing has been known to reduce agitation in persons who have dementia.
Meet the needs of someone who is bored, tired, hungry, lonely, or in pain.
Different Therapies
At times, caregivers must try and be creative when it comes to managing agitation. This includes experimenting with various therapies and activities.
Examples of therapies include aromatherapy and pet therapy amongst others. Activities that can help calm down an agitated person include folding and refolding laundry, dancing, and brushing hair.
Offering Distractions
Try and distract the person with the things they love. These can be activities, objects, or even food.
Join a Support Group
Spending time with people who are going through a similar situation can help them learn more coping mechanisms.
This can also give caregivers an avenue where they can vent, relax, and re-energize.
Responding to Agitation in Persons with Dementia
It is important to know how to react when dealing with an individual experiencing agitation and dementia. Below we highlight some tips caregivers can work with to deal with the situation at hand.
1. Ask permission to speak while backing off. Remember to always use positive statements, a calm reassuring voice, and offer guided choices to try and limit stimulation.
Try and find common ground when communicating with an agitated person. Avoid restraining, arguing, ignoring, shouting, or criticizing the individual.
2. Ask the affected person how they want to be helped in a soft tone. Reassure the individual that they are safe and everything is under control.
Apologize even when there is nothing to be sorry for. Offer to stay with the individual until they feel better.
Carers can also say something like sorry you are upset or I know you are going through a challenging time because this can help calm them down.
3. Try and find out what may be causing the agitation by listening to the individual.
It is also important to remember that the individual is not acting out because they want to but it is the disease that is making them act out.
4. Find ways for the person to use up their energy. A person may be agitated because they have built-up energy.
This implies that carers should find something for them to do like going out for a drive or walk.
Prevention and Treatment Tips
Caregivers can take various steps to help prevent agitation for persons with dementia and these include
Creating a Calm Environment
If a carer suspects that an individual is at risk of experiencing agitation and dementia, they can prevent it by creating a calm environment for the suffering person.
Identify any stressors that may be in the environment and ensure that they are eliminated. This can be anything from background distractions, glare, and noise.
If a person’s current environment has too many triggers, it may be best to move them to a quieter or safer place.
Limiting the use of caffeine and exploring soothing rituals can also help.
Ensuring Personal Comfort
Agitation may be brought about when a person is not comfortable and they are not able to communicate what they are feeling.
It is, therefore, the responsibility of caregivers to monitor personal comfort. This is simply done by checking for signs of thirst, hunger, pain, full bladder, constipation, skin irritation, fatigue, or infections.
Make sure that the room where the person is staying has comfortable temperatures. It is also important to be sensitive to misperceived threats, frustrations, and fears.
Simplifying Chores
If a person who has dementia is still able to handle some tasks, ensure they only engage in tasks they can handle with ease.
It is also important to ensure that the person sticks to non-complicated routines that do not stress them out.
Help Individuals Engage in Physical Activity
Encourage the person with the illness to take part in fun and appropriate exercises. This does not have to be complicated.
Doing some gardening, going for short walks, group activities, and dancing are examples of some options to explore.
Closing Thoughts
Keep in mind that different people will react differently when experiencing agitation and dementia.
It is, therefore, the responsibility of the caregiver to experiment with different coping mechanisms to identify the ones that work well for the person they are looking after.
It is important to understand the right approach to frontotemporal dementia treatment and how you can ease and alleviate the condition.
Frontotemporal dementia or FTD is a group of disorders that develop when there is a progressive loss of nerve cells in the frontal or temporal lobes in the brain.
When this happens to an individual, it can affect their movement, behavior, language, and personality. If you get a positive diagnosis for FTD, the first question you may ask is how to get treatment.
Sadly, there is currently no treatment available to cure, prevent, or slow down the decline of FTD.
However, there are a couple of frontotemporal dementia treatment options that affected individuals can try out. These may help take care of some of the symptoms they experience, ultimately improving quality of life.
Worth noting is that FTD is not life-threatening and many people live with it for years.
Best Frontotemporal Dementia Treatment
Medication
Doctors can prescribe different types of medication to a person who has FTD to ease some symptoms. These are usually off-label drugs that are approved for one purpose but are used for another purpose.
Before settling on the drug that a person should take, medics usually ask caregivers and the person with dementia what the most problematic symptom is.
The professional then targets to treat this first. Some of the most common drugs that a person can include in a frontotemporal dementia treatment plan include:
Antidepressants
There are very many drugs in the market available to help treat depression. That can also come in handy for a person who has FTD. They can help to control obsessive-compulsive behaviors, treat anxiety, and other signs of the disease.
Drugs like trazodone can assist with behavioral problems. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), on the other hand, have proven to be helpful when it comes to treating multiple FTD behavioral symptoms.
They include agitation, depression, apathy, and anxiety amongst others.
Drugs that most people take include Zoloft and Luvox. Professionals deem these agents relatively safe to be taken by persons who have dementia.
Sleeping aids
An individual can use this to help ease sleep disturbances like insomnia.
Antipsychotic drugs
Doctors usually recommend these to help reduce compulsive and irrational behaviors. The medications which are also known as neuroleptic drugs have a reputation for affecting motor functioning negatively.
However, new generation antipsychotic drugs like Zyprexa and Seroquel are normally well-tolerated.
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Some people will be also be put on cholinesterase inhibitors to experience some improvement or temporary stabilization in memory/attention in global functioning and day-to-day activities.
Anticonvulsants
This class of medicine can act as mood stabilizers. A doctor may advise a person to take these alone or in conjunction with other drugs, specifically antipsychotic medication to manage agitation.
Tegretol and Depakote can help manage extreme behavior symptoms.
Dopaminergic Agents
Some studies reveal that some drugs can help with enhanced initiation and speech fluency. These are medications that an individual takes to supplement the dopamine brain neurotransmitter system.
Persons with Parkinson’s disease are the ones who mostly take these drugs. In small doses, the medication might also reduce involuntary movements that some persons with FTD have.
Medroxyprogesterone
Some persons with frontotemporal dementia may show signs of sexual disinhibition. Because this can be distressing medics might recommend medroxyprogesterone which is a hormone progesterone derivative. In some cases, this is useful for calming sexual urges.
Clinicians have to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of using drugs before recommending a prescription. This is because some drugs may have dire side-effects; thus, they end up creating a bigger problem instead of offering a solution.
Others might also interact with other medications that a person is already taking.
In most cases, the doctor will proceed on a start slow approach to see if the medication will be tolerated. The expert then decides whether it is prudent for the person to continue taking the drugs or look for an alternative.
Therapy
Persons who have FTD are also advised to consider different types of therapies when coming up with a frontotemporal dementia treatment plan.
This comes highly recommended for people who have movement challenges because of FTD.
Occupational therapy
A person goes in for this type of therapy so that therapists can identify major problem areas in their daily lives.
These can include difficulties in eating, taking a shower, or getting properly dressed. The professionals of occupational therapy then go ahead to help come up with practical solutions.
Clinical Trials
Researchers and other experts are constantly working hard to make strides in the frontotemporal dementia treatment front.
This implies that a person who has FTD can volunteer to join a clinical trial that is experimenting with new tests, interventions, and treatments.
It is one of the approaches that can help to introduce new methods that are possible to detect, prevent, manage, or even treat the disease.
It is crucial to do thorough research before joining any clinical program to ensure that you will not be compromising your health at the end of the day.
Each clinical trial typically follows a protocol that has been predefined, including:
Clear criteria for eligible persons
In-depth information about the purpose of the trial
The experts conducting it and how they will be doing it
Potential benefits and risks
With most trials, a person does not have to pay to join. The experts usually cover costs like travel expenses for the participants.
Home and Lifestyle Remedies
Away from frontotemporal dementia treatment options that mainly require professional help, there are some lifestyle and home remedies that can also prove valuable to individuals with FTD like:
1. Accepting the help of the caregivers. As the illness progresses, a person with FTD might not be able to do everything on their own; thus need some assistance from relatives, friends, and other professionals.
These are people who will come in to lend a hand when it is needed as you go about your daily activities. They will also offer transportation, maintain safety and assist with finances.
2. Engaging in exercises that are suitable for your skill level is also good for your health. Not only will this keep you in shape, but it will also help enhance thinking skills and mood.
3. Proper nutrition is also advisable for anyone who has FTD. There are plenty of resources that a person can use to see the best foods and drinks to eat to get the nutrients and energy that is needed to tackle the disease.
4. Stress management is also crucial to everyone who is battling FTD. Try and find things that make one happy and relaxed. The activities that a person engages in should be stimulating and enjoyable and most importantly, should be of their choosing.
While lifestyle changes will not reverse or stop the progression of the illness, they can help to protect brain functioning and offer other benefits that will see a person lead a more fulfilling life even with the disease.
Extra lifestyle changes
Your physician will also discuss any lifestyle changes that you need to make along the way. For instance, it may reach a point where you are not able to drive safely again.
Creating a comfortable environment for the person with FTD can also help them cope better with the signs and symptoms they are going through.
This can be done by making sure that there is nothing in sight that upsets the person with dementia. The home should also have minimal noise and be well-lit.
Other frontotemporal dementia treatment plans that might come in handy for persons with FTD like:
1. Engaging in relaxing techniques
This can be anything from going in for a massage or just listening to some good music and dancing your heart out.
2. Leisure activities and social interactions
These are best done with people who are facing the same challenges. This is why a person with this type of dementia needs to identify a support group.
These can have all sorts of helpful ideas on the activities that members can participate in to have fun so that they do not have to think about their medical condition all the time.
These groups also offer plenty of valuable advice that members can use to lead better lives despite their current conditions.
3. Strategies to combat challenging behavior
These include approaches like structured routines, distraction techniques, and activities like completing puzzles, etc. that help to avert “difficult” behaviors.
4. The use of incontinence products like pads pants, catheters, and other products and devices can help make life a lot easier when need be.
Closing Thoughts
It is important to note that people who have FTD do not experience illness in the same way. This means that a treatment option that works for one person may be harmful to the next.
It is, therefore, vital to identify the best treatment options based on individual experience to get the best results.
Additionally, it is best to stay away from self-prescription. Always consult a professional before you embark on any new treatments to be on the safe side.
To date, dementia still has no cure but persons with the illness can consider alternative therapies for dementia to improve symptoms and improve quality of life.
Alternative therapies refer to the treatment that is used in place of conventional medical care.
They normally target psychological, emotional, cognition, and behavioral symptoms that persons with dementia experience.
Examine some of the therapies that individuals with dementia can benefit from below.
14 Best Alternative Therapies For Dementia
Occupational Therapy
An occupational therapist can help evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of a person who has dementia. This can assist the professional understand the areas where the affected individuals need help the most.
Working with the therapist can see a person improve some of their physical skills.
The experts can also come up with suggestions for home and living changes to make it safer and better adapted to the needs of the person with the progressive disease.
Examples of modifications that you can make include:
1. Ensuring that there is a fence surrounding the yard so that the affected person will not get away, wander, and get lost in the neighborhood.
2. Organizing the closet so that appropriate outfits for the current season are within reach.
3. Identify simpler versions of activities that the individuals used to enjoy so that they can continue spending time on them.
For instance, if the said individual loved completing puzzles before a positive dementia diagnosis, the occupational therapist can look for easier puzzles that the person will continue to enjoy.
Physical therapy is beneficial to individuals with dementia because it can help enhance their balance reducing the chances of tripping, falling, and injuring themselves.
This is because the therapy mainly focuses on strength training, endurance, flexibility, and balance.
A physical therapist can come up with appropriate exercise programs that an individual can take part in to help them with movement.
Additionally, it can help with boosting mood and decreasing aggression.
When a person is active there is an increase in the release of endorphins that soothe the brain.
Most people who take part in physical therapy also enjoy improved sleep.
Physical therapy can also help a person maintain their independence a move that can help them conduct daily living activities like bathing, eating, grooming, and toileting without too much difficulty for the longest possible time.
Studies also show that physical therapy can also help with the slowing down of memory loss. Research indicates that it is one of the best ways to enhance brain health.
Music Therapy
Sound and music play are an important part of human life whether listening to it, dancing, or taking part in its creation. People respond to music at a tender age even before language and words develop.
For years, music is in use to engage and communicate with persons who have dementia. As the illness progresses, music can help enhance well-being and communication.
This is because music stimulates different parts of the brain which can help an affected person connect with past memories and express their feelings.
There are multiple different ways of incorporating music, including:
Singing a person’s favorite tunes
Playing instruments
Listening to a live performance or recorded music
Listening to music through headphones
Music therapy is normally conducted by a trained music therapist who can work with an individual or a group. This kind of therapy is known to reduce anxiety for most people with dementia.
It can also enhance cognitive function including perception, thinking, mood, feelings, and behavior. The therapy can also encourage physical exercise if it prompts a person to dance or move around while enjoying the beat.
Music also reduces the incidences of social isolation by encouraging social interaction and promoting activity in a group setting.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is another example of beneficial alternative therapies for dementia. Most people with this progressive disease will enjoy taking part in various creative activities including art.
Art therapy creates a platform where persons with dementia can take part in fun art projects as they express their creativity. The therapy stimulates the brain in numerous ways.
For instance, it can help encourage speech or stir dormant memories. Art therapy can also create a sense of purpose and accomplishment for persons with the illness.
Some studies report that art activities can help enhance cognitive function and social interaction. Non-verbal seniors can start smiling, laughing, moving, or speaking once they take up art therapy activities.
Experts agree that the best forms of art therapy are the ones based on personal memories and passions. Examples of art activities that individuals with dementia can take part in include pottery, paint by number projects, watercolor painting, pencil or charcoal drawing, participating in community art projects and making cards, jewelry, and many more.
These activities can help boost hand strength, relieve stress, and stimulate senses.
Bright Light Therapy
Bright light therapy is a promising treatment that can help people who have dementia. The therapy is thought to affect brain chemicals related to sleep and mood.
Most persons who have dementia will experience sleep issues at some point during the illness. Bright light therapy can help normalize a person’s sleep-wake pattern.
Studies show that this type of therapy is most effective for persons with mild to moderate dementia.
The administration of this therapy is best done during morning hours so that it can entrain the circadian rhythm in a bid to reduce interruption of the normal sleep-wake cycle. This results in increased sleeping hours at night and less daytime sleeping.
Pet Therapy
Also known as animal-assisted therapy, this is another example of useful alternative therapies for dementia. The therapy encourages persons with the illness to spend time with various types of domestic animals like cats, trained dogs, birds, fish aquariums, or aviaries, etc.
Spending time with pets offers unconditional love, companionship, and fun for persons with dementia thanks to their friendliness and non-threatening ways. The animals can either live with the affected persons or somebody can bring them once in a while.
Other benefits associated with this type of therapy include:
Improving mood
Encouraging social interaction
Better nutrition
Offering a calming effect
Improved physical activity
Reducing behavioral problems like aggression, agitation, anxiety, loneliness, and depression
Laughter Yoga
Some studies indicate that people with dementia can benefit from laughter yoga. The primary goal of this kind of therapy is to bring more laughter into the lives of individuals with the disease.
Laughter offers numerous health perks for complete mind and body wellness. It can help to relieve stress as a person gets to feel happy, positive, and relaxed after a session of genuine laughter.
The best part about this therapy is the fact that a person does not even have to comprehend a joke or punch line to start laughing.
Laughter is stimulated as a form of exercise ensuring that people just burst out laughing for no reason.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy can be defined as an ancient healing practice where essential oils from herbs, trees, plants, and flowers are used to enhance the spiritual, mental, and physical well-being of affected people.
Essential oils can be applied to the skin or inhaled. Improving cognitive function in persons with dementia is one of the health benefits that come from aromatherapy. Needless to say, the therapy boosts brain performance and improves the ability to remember events.
Aromatherapy can also help to relieve some common dementia symptoms like depression and anxiety.
Numerous studies reveal that essential oils from lemon balm, bergamot, and lavender can help a person with dementia suppress agitation, aggression, and a host of other psychotic symptoms.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is one of the alternative therapies for dementia that continues to attract increased attention when it comes to medication alternatives that ease dementia behavioral symptoms.
Moreover, massage can be incorporated in dementia care to offer a human touch that offers a wide range of benefits to individuals with the progressive illness such as:
Reduced feelings of anxiety, isolation, and insecurity
Increased feelings of care and reassurance
Decreased levels of agitation
Improve sleep
Ease pain
Reduce physical expressions like wandering, pacing, and resisting care
Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
Inducing deep levels of relaxation
Massage therapy is also known to communicate comfort and support in palliative care. There are different types of massages that persons with dementia can benefit from including back massage, hand massage, and foot massage.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is considered one of the safe and effective alternative therapies for dementia. It is an ancient Chinese method that is in use to treat various medical conditions for years. Acupuncture mostly involves the insertion of needles in specific locations of the human body to help restore proper energy flow to treat symptoms.
Controlled investigations divulge that acupuncture helps to enhance the flow of blood to the brain ensuring that the organ gets adequate nutrients and oxygen. Several studies show that acupuncture can also help in enhancing mood as well as cognitive skills.
Others indicate that acupuncture can help increase both motor and verbal skills as well as attention and memory. One of the studies also revealed that acupuncture can help treat depression and anxiety in people with dementia.
The studies, however, do not give conclusive results on whether acupuncture can help cure dementia; hence, more research still needs to be done on this treatment option.
Doll Therapy
Many people with dementia can also benefit from doll therapy. This normally involves the use of soft toy animals or life-like dolls. These offer “companionship” to the persons with the illness especially in the later stages of the illness providing perks like pleasure and relaxation without the responsibility of taking care of the dolls.
For some, holding a doll or soft toy helps them remember when they were holding their children or when they were caring for their beloved pets. This sensation that comes with holding something soothing can help offer a connection to the outer world renewing a sense of purpose in persons with the progressive illness.
This can also lead to an increased level of liveliness and activity levels. There is evidence that confirms that the use of soft toys or dolls can be especially helpful to persons who do not engage with others or are constantly struggling with anxiety, and restlessness.
Validation Therapy
A brief description of validation therapy would be a kind of counseling. A professional therapist will hold the hand of the person with the illness paying close attention to their feelings.
The experts are trained to study body language and the voice of the weak. This helps the professionals to communicate with persons with the disease in a manner that acknowledges their actions and words with empathy and respect instead of anger, embarrassment, or dismissiveness.
This type of therapy is normally offered to people who are in the last stage of dementia nearing the end of life. It usually helps the affected individuals feel sage, useful, loved, and at peace before breathing the last breathe.
Reality Orientation
When it comes to reality orientation, a person with dementia will work closely with a professional therapist who will repeat details about the place, time, and other crucial details regularly.
This helps the person with the illness stay oriented to the present moment a move that can help reduce confusion. Using large calendars and clocks can also help make things easier.
It is important to understand that reality orientation does not work for everyone who has dementia. This is especially for persons who believe that they are in a different place or time. In such instances, this type of therapy ends up upsetting the affected individuals.
Closing Remarks
Caregivers and persons who have dementia must approach the use of alternative therapies for dementia with care. This is because the therapies usually have different results on different people.
It is best to consult an individual’s doctor before trying out any therapy to be on the safe side. After trying out one option and it does not work, it is best to abandon it and look for the ones that will give the suffering individual the best results.
After getting a positive dementia diagnosis, you may be wondering how does dementia affect you physically.
Dementia is a general term that describes the severe loss of memory and other mental abilities that can affect a person’s day to day life.
While the illness is mostly associated with memory and mental issues, the symptoms can physical as well.
How Can Dementia Affect you Physically?
Below we will discuss the physical symptoms of dementia. Research indicates that the disease usually has a significant impact on a person’s physical health in the later stages of the illness.
Let’s further research some of the most common physical challenges that people with dementia may face.
Immobility
One of the ways that dementia will affect you physically is through the gradual loss of the ability to stand, walk, or get up from your bed or chair.
It normally starts with slowed movement because of reduced muscle control.
This can make injuries due to falls more frequent because they are mostly caused by problems with coordination and balance.
You may also find yourself sitting in one position for extended periods with limited movement.
It implies that you may be at the risk of developing bedsores (pressure ulcers).
The problems can be caused by dementia, the medication you are taking, balance problems, other medication conditions like stroke, and the environment.
At times, you can suffer from involuntary jerking movements of the body, arms, or legs. This usually constitutes a single movement, hence, cannot be categorized as fits.
Try and move around more
As your mobility decreases, the risk of getting blood clots and infection increases. It is, therefore, important to try and move around as much as possible.
This can be done through chair-based exercises or caregivers can offer you the support you need to walk around.
Working with a professional physiotherapist or occupational therapist can help increase your mobility while minimizing chances of injury.
Home renovations are also helpful when it comes to creating a safe environment where you can move about with ease without risks of tripping and falling.
To ensure your nutrition is well taken care of, food can be cut into manageable sizes or even pureed.
It is also important to maintain good oral hygiene to avoid gum disease.
When you are feeling pain in your mouth, chewing can be difficult and uncomfortable.
If you have dentures, they should be properly fitted. Working with a speech and language therapist can help you deal with swallowing issues.
Vision Changes
Dementia can affect how your eyes see making it another way dementia affects you physically.
Your field of vision may narrow down to about 12 inches when you have the disease.
Experts compare this to wearing binoculars which can be a difficult change to deal with. As the illness progresses, you can end up seeing with only one eye.
This indicates that you will lose depth perception; thus, not be able to tell if something is 2 or 3 dimensional.
This mostly happens when the brain finds that information coming from both eyes is too overwhelming.
You may also start to experience blurring where you see images less sharply.
Common objects and faces become more challenging to recognize. This can make it hard to find objects and it can also affect your ability to write and read.
It is also possible that your pupils may start reacting a bit slower to light.
This will make it difficult for you to move from a light to a dark space.
It may be overwhelming to stay outside on a sunny day because the light will appear too bright until your pupils react.
Loss of peripheral vision
Individuals with dementia may also experience loss of peripheral vision. It is where you will not be able to see things objects that are directly in front of you.
Generally, you will be seeing things out of the corner of your eye.
This means that you may not be able to see objects around you which can lead to increased tripping over chairs, bumping into door frames, and falls.
With the loss of peripheral vision, you may not be able to see someone if they come up to you from the side or behind.
Carers need to understand that dementia can cause a variety of vision problems.
They can assist you by standing in front of you when communicating. The use of contrasting colors and large pictures can help you see and find common things.
Giving you enough time to adjust to different light levels can be helpful when your pupils are slowly reacting to light.
Incontinence
Having problems using the toilet is yet another way dementia affects you physically.
There are 2 types of incontinence that you can suffer from. One is urinary incontinence where you may experience a small leak of trickling after passing urine.
After a while, you may no longer have control of your bladder.
While there are different types of urinary incontinence the most common is where you will feel an intense and sudden need to go as well as frequent urination.
Fecal incontinence is the 2nd type of incontinence which is not too common.
It can range from passing small amounts of feces when you are breaking wind or having no control over your bowels at all.
This may happen because messages between the bowel or bladder and the brain are distorted.
As a result, you may not recognize when you have a full bladder or bowel or even have the control you need to empty them.
The physical symptoms you may have for dementia may not be similar for everyone with the illness. Knowing what to expect in terms of how dementia will affect you physically is crucial to help you get in the right frame of mind to tackle the issues ahead.
It also allows you to get the support you need to enjoy a quality life even with the challenges that come with the disease.
New research reveals that the role of inflammation in dementia is something worth pursuing in regards to the cause, prevention, and treatment of the progressive illness.
Inflammation such as swelling and redness can be described as the body’s response to stress, infection, or injury.
Neuroinflammation, on the other hand, is inflammation in the brain and it has been linked to multiple disorders such as psychosis, depression, and multiple sclerosis amongst others.
Several studies have been conducted to look into the relationship between dementia and inflammation.
Below we will discuss two major studies that have been done to explain the role of inflammation in dementia.
Study on Increased Inflammation and the Risk of Dementia
A study from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland uncovered that people who have an increase in inflammation especially during midlife have bigger abnormalities in the brain’s white matter which affects cognitive function and possibly leads to the development of dementia.
Find out more about this study and how it contributes to dementia prevention and research.
Details of the Study
The study from Johns Hopkins analyzed data from 1633 participants for an average of 24 years.
The researchers tracked levels of C-reactive proteins which is a blood biomarker of inflammation. The primary aim of doing this was to look into the relationship this biomarker has with dementia.
During the study period, the participants visited the researchers 5 times for an average of three years. After the first visit, researchers collected blood samples from the participants to measure inflammation levels as shown by C-reactive protein.
The professionals also conducted an MRI scan during the last visit to view the white matter damage in the brain.
The participants also went through various memory tests at the end of the study period.
Results of the Study
Researchers discovered that 90 participants who suffered chronic inflammation had the most white matter damage in the brain.
White matter carries information between nerve cells. When the white matter is damaged it can cause cognitive decline which may lead to dementia.
Interpretation of the Study Results
When looking into the role of inflammation in dementia, the researchers believed that the study suggests a causal relationship between the development of dementia and chronic inflammation.
Several factors can lead to chronic inflammation including:
Researchers, however, state that this study is observational; hence, more research needs to be done to establish the specific relationship between dementia and inflammation.
The senior author of the study Dr. Rebecca Gottesman stated that the research the team did was important because there are currently limited treatment options for neurodegenerative illnesses.
She continued to say that inflammation is one of the reversible factors that can prevent or prolong the onset of the disease.
Gottesman tasked researchers with coming up with ways to reduce inflammation to reduce neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.
Relationship between Inflammation and Multiple Dementia Types
Another study found that there is a link between inflammation in the brain and several dementia forms.
This research observed persons who had frontotemporal dementia (FTD) which is normally caused by a build-up of “junk” proteins in the brain.
FTD is a general term that refers to various dementia types that affect the temporal or frontal lobes of the brain. The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Cambridge and published in the journal Brain.
Scientists conducted the study to investigate whether neuroinflammation occurs in different forms of dementia. Take a closer look into the details of the research.
Participants of the Study
Researchers observed 31 patients all of who had different types of frontotemporal dementia. FTD can be described as a family of various conditions that result from the accumulation of abnormal “junk” proteins in the brain.
The professionals performed brain scans on all the participants to detect junk proteins and inflammation. This was done through 2 PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans.
Each of these used an injection with a chemical dye that lights up special molecules that help to reveal the brains’ junk proteins or inflammatory cells.
10 of the participants had a behavioral variant of the condition, ten had the nonfluent variant, and the rest had the semantic variant.
The researchers compared results they got from the participants with those of another group that comprised healthy control participants.
This is a move they made to help them pinpoint characteristics specific to persons with a type of FTD.
Results of the Study
The researchers noted that in all 3 types of frontotemporal dementia, inflammation was linked to the build-up of harmful abnormal proteins in different parts of the brain.
Even though the diseases are different from each other, the role of inflammation in dementia was apparent.
The results offer hope that immune-based treatments may help prevent or even slow down the conditions. Scientists, however, acknowledge that more research still needs to be done to convert this knowledge of inflammation in dementia into treatments that can be tested.
Inflammation in Dementia Closing Thoughts
Researchers continue to pay close attention to the role of inflammation in dementia.
The ties between inflammation and dementia could lead to the development of new treatments that can help people with neurodegenerative diseases.
There are ways and approaches that make living with dementia a lot less stressful on the person, loved ones and caregivers.
For most people, a positive dementia diagnosis means a life sentence full of nightmares and all the bad experiences imaginable.
These feelings are heightened by the fact that there is still no cure for the illness.
It is, however, important to note that living with dementia does not have to be the worst thing a person can go through.
Guide on Living with Dementia
Below you will explore some of the tips and recommendations that a person with dementia can work with to live a more fulfilling and independent life for the longest possible time.
1. Accept your Situation
After getting to know that you have dementia, it is tempting to keep the news to yourself and pretend that everything is in place.
This is the wrong move.
It is advisable to share the news with people who care about you.
It does not mean that you have to go on the rooftops and shout about your health condition.
Take as much time as you need but when you are ready, do not shy away from sharing this news with people you love whether it is your relatives or friends.
This way, they will be in a position to understand what you are going through, especially when you start going through some changes that the disease causes.
Communicate
As you share the news, it is important to understand that different people will take in the news differently.
Some will be shocked and they may immediately start treating you differently.
Many will do this because they do not know what dementia is and have no clue what to do to help.
Try and explain what your diagnosis means and also tell them the ways that they can be of assistance.
For instance, if you cannot drive, your support system can step in to drop and pick you up when you need to go somewhere.
As much as it is hard to accept, you can also find that you might lose touch with some individuals.
Try and take these changes in your relationships positively.
After all, you might end up meeting new people in support groups or while engaging in different activities.
2. Learn about Dementia
Millions of people around the globe are battling with dementia and new cases are coming up every year.
A person who is living with dementia needs to have in-depth knowledge of the illness to live well with the condition.
Thankfully, there is a wealth of information about dementia, including its stages and helpful treatments.
Your doctor should give you details about the illness and also offer referrals to valuable resources.
Empowering yourself means that you will be more equipped to face the challenges that lay ahead. You will also know how to better handle the symptoms you get.
3. Take Care of Your Whole Being
What this means is that you need to take good care of your physical body, spiritual, psychological, and emotional health.
In regards to physical health, it is important to engage in exercises that you can handle with ease.
You also need to check what you are consuming so that you are always eating a balanced diet. This way, the body will get the nutrients and minerals it needs to boost your immune system.
It is also prudent to take care of your mental health by participating in stimulating activities that you can find in classes or hobbies. Various group activities are also fun.
Your doctor might also propose that you cut down on smoking and drinking alcohol or stop altogether.
When it comes to emotional health, remember to allow yourself to go through a range of emotions, especially when you first get the news.
After accepting the situation, you can go ahead and join a support group. It is best to join one with people who have dementia, whether offline or online.
Also, it is a great coping mechanism because you will not feel like you are alone and members of the group can help each other through their journeys.
It is also crucial to find something that will nourish you spiritually.
Some individuals may gravitate towards spending time in nature, religion, or calming activities like yoga.
Sadly, it may reach a point where a person living with dementia is not able to make proper decisions.
For this reason, it is vital to plan for your future when you are still independent and can make sound decisions.
Long-term plans for dementia
1. Choosing a person you trust to act on your behalf in terms of managing your medical and financial needs.
2. Creating a will so that after breathing your last breath, your possessions, money, and property will go into the persons you pick.
The state gets to decide who will get what if you die without having a valid will.
3. Making a statement in advance about the care that you want to receive during the later stages of the disease as well as where you want to receive the care from.
This is a written statement that will highlight your beliefs, wishes, preferences, and values in terms of future care.
The person that you choose to handle important issues in the future will be your attorney. Failure to pick an attorney means that no one will have the right to make decisions when you are not able to.
This is something that can make things difficult for your family because they may not be able to pay bills or make good decisions about your care.
When it boils down to this, a person may be forced to apply to become your deputy at a Court of Protection. This is a costly process that may end up taking a lot of time.
Some of the changes that you can make around the home include working with a recognizable and meaningful interior design that incorporates your life story complete with words and pictures.
Making sure the house has good natural lighting is also important when you want to reduce shadows and glare.
Detectors for falls, GPS, alarms, and sensors can help boost security.
A tablet or smartphone can also come in handy because you can use this to organize your life, keep track of what is going on, revisit videos, and photos, and also communicate with your relatives and friends.
6. Stay Active and Busy
When you are living with dementia, it becomes easy to withdraw socially and wallow in self-pity. You must resist this urge if you want to enjoy a quality life even into the later stages of the illness.
Staying active is also important because it will give you a sense of self-worth and purpose.
Find activities that you love and enjoy them to your heart’s content. Many service providers today are sensitive to the needs of a person who has dementia.
Occupy your body and mind
For instance, some cinemas put on dementia-friendly screenings which means you can go out and enjoy the latest film.
Many leisure centers also run appropriate activities for persons with dementia which means that you have a long list of activities to choose from.
When moving about, it is imperative to carry a card that will let other people know you have dementia.
The card should include details of a person that others can contact if you get lost or are in some sort of emergency.
When you do not have the energy to jump or move around, there are other ways to keep busy. Examples of these include listening to music or doing crosswords.
If you have grandchildren, you can offer to babysit for a few hours. There is also the option to volunteer to avoid the risks of loneliness, isolation, and depression.
7. Follow Routines
Sticking to routines is another way that people who have dementia can live well.
Do the same thing at the same time each week or day. This is bound to reassure you while at the same time stimulating your memory.
Having set schedules can also help you reduce the time you spend thinking about what needs to be done next.
If you always forget about things you need to get done regularly, you can pin your to-do-list on prominent places. This can include things like switching off lights or locking doors.
Some people with the illness also say that it helps to carry a notebook and pen around where you can write down the tasks you need to complete in a day.
You may also find that it is helpful to put important things like keys or glasses in the same place daily so that you do not have a problem locating them.
Additionally, a clock that shows the day of the week and date can come in handy.
8. Set Realistic Goals
It is not uncommon for a person who has dementia to want to prove to the world that they are overachievers and the disease is not pulling them down.
This may lead a person to become over-ambitious where they want to handle more than they can chew in regards to day-day activities.
When you find that you cannot do all the things you set out to it can be frustrating and you might even fall into depression.
For this reason, it is important to set realistic goals so that you only focus on things you can do and complete without too much struggle.
Seek help when necessary
Remember that it is okay to ask for help from professional caregivers, family, or friends when you are in need.
When you decide to take up any task, give yourself adequate time to complete it first so that you are not always rushing into new tasks creating more confusion.
Most importantly, do not pressure yourself to be successful. Accept that there are things you were once able to do in the past that you can no longer complete at present.
It is better to focus all your attention on the things you can control, rather than spending hours on the ones you cannot control. Even as people are helping, make sure that they are not taking over.
The people around you might end up offering more help than you need which will leave you with nothing to do.
9. Coping At Work
During the initial stages of the disease, a person living with dementia may choose to continue working.
If you choose to take this route, it is important to let your boss know about your current health situation if you are employed.
Employers have a legal duty to take necessary steps to ensure you can continue working without too much difficulty.
This can include simplifying routines, changing work schedules, or availing technology like a computerized diary that will remind you of meetings and deadlines.
If you do not want to continue working, first research on matters pertaining to pension and other benefits you are eligible for before leaving the workforce.
This way, you will not be short-changed in any way.
10. Go for Regular Hearing, Eyesight and Dental Checks
Having dementia most of the time means that you will also experience sensory loss. This makes it hard for you to make sense of the world.
Because of this, you must regularly schedule oral, hearing, and eyesight checks to live well with dementia.
Ideally, you should consult a professional who has experience supporting persons with the illness.
During these visits, your doctor may recommend the use of hearing aids or glasses.
At home, you should also take care of your dental health by brushing your teeth at least two times a day, flossing, and eating healthy foods that will not lead to cavities and other oral health problems.
If you are using dentures, ensure that they are comfortable. You can always set reminders to guide you on the times to remove and wear them.
There has been a lot of interest in the topic of blueberries and dementia when looking into the foods that can help improve memory.
For years, researchers have been looking into whether consumption of blueberries can help prevent the onset of dementia or perhaps slow down its progression.
This is because blueberries have been known to keep blood vessels clear of plaque, fight off the harmful effects of free radicals, and give people a boost from plant-based chemicals.
Blueberries and Dementia Prevention Benefits
The little blue fruits have also gained a reputation for being brain food that can improve memory and cognitive function.
Several studies have been done to identify the link between berries and this progressive illness.
Below we explore a couple of studies that investigated the link between dementia and blueberries.
Blueberries can Help Slow Cognitive Decline
Research published in Annals of Neurology reported that consuming flavonoids and berries slows down the rate of cognitive decline in women who are 70 years and older.
The study utilized data from a Nurse’s Health Study with over 120,000 registered nurses.
The researchers conducted the assessments on 16,010 participants all of whom were women. The Nurses Health Study commenced in 1976.
After four years, the participants were mostly asked questions about their eating habits. Over 16, 000 ladies also underwent memory testing between 1995 and 2001.
Researchers from different institutions including Harvard Medical School, Brigham Women’s Hospital, and German Centre for Neurodegenerative Disease uncovered that greater ingestion of strawberries and blueberries correlated with slower cognitive decline rates for up to two and a half years.
The ladies who showed the most improvement were taking two or more servings of berries weekly.
The authors of the study acknowledged that smaller trials of berry supplementation have also showcased positive results. They also stated that the study was only observational seeing that it primarily relied on dietary reporting from the nurses.
Furthermore, they also reported that it was not clear if the results would also apply to men because all the participants were ladies.
The authors encouraged males to take part in future studies to come up with more conclusive results. They also encouraged seniors to consume more berries as they can help delay memory decline.
Blueberries can Boost Brain Function
Some studies also confirm that blueberries do not only improve memory, but they can also maintain brain functionc.
Animal studies investigating ties between blueberries and dementia reveal that blueberries contain tons of phytochemicals that have a wealth of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Additionally, anthocyanins and polyphenols present in blueberries can boost signaling in the brain centers that are associated with memory.
They also help to eliminate glucose which also helps to slow down memory decline.
Human studies on the same have also yielded promising results. In one of these studies, 12 seniors who had mild cognitive impairment took blueberry juice daily.
Blueberries can Improve Working Memory
They experienced improvements in functions of the brain and there was also evidence of improvements in working memory. This research is from the University of Exeter.
The researchers looked into the effects of the consumption of wild blueberry juice on memory decline in 12 adults who were aged 65-77. All the participants were experiencing memory decline related to aging showcasing symptoms like memory lapses.
The participants took 2 1/2 cups of blueberry juice for 12 weeks. This juice was made from commercially available frozen wild blueberries.
A comparison group of 14 adults was drinking a similar amount of placebo non-juice beverage for twelve weeks.
Researchers conducted several memory tests such as list learning, recall, and word association tasks before and after the study. The professionals also used an MRI scanner to monitor the brain function of the participants.
They also measured resting blood flow. The results indicated that the older adults who drank blueberry juice showed improvements in memory and learning tests when compared to the placebo group.
Researchers also said that they observed trends that suggested lower glucose levels and reduced depression symptoms among the participants who were drinking wild blueberry juice.
It is important to note that this study on blueberries and dementia excluded people who consumed more than 5 portions of vegetables and fruit daily.
The participants were told to stick to their normal diet throughout the entire study. Based on the results, more research needs to be done to confirm these results.
Blueberries May Lower the Risk of Dementia
Blueberries are categorized among the superfoods linked to a lower risk of dementia.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition observed 2,801 women and men who were over 50 years. At the beginning of the study, all the participants did not have dementia.
Over at least 20 years of follow-up, the professionals collected diet information at 5 periodic health examinations. 193 participants during this time developed Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.
Lowered dementia risk was associated with intake of one type of flavonoid, anthocyanins abundant in red wine, strawberries, and blueberries.
Other foods that also contributed include oranges, pears, apples, tea, and bananas. The study controlled for numerous behavioral and health characteristics.
Additionally, subjects adhered to the government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans which in addition to vegetables and fruits also emphasizes lean meats, whole grains, and other heart-healthy foods.
Paul F. Jacques the senior author of the study who is a scientist with Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Centre on Aging at Tufts University stated that consumption by the individuals who benefited was not huge.
The monthly average was about 71/2 cup serving of blueberries or strawberries, 17 cups of tea, and 8 apples or pears.
He explained that it did not take much and all it took was a couple of servings of berries weekly and maybe an apple or two.
Closing Thoughts
Health providers continue to be faced with multiple questions about recommendations for enhancing or maintaining cognitive function especially for people who have dementia.
Currently, several studies have been done to try and find out if there is a connection between the consumption of blueberries and dementia prevention.
Although many experts agree that taking blueberries is beneficial for the brain, further research is still necessary to confirm if they can help persons with dementia.
When someone is diagnosed with any type of dementia, what is the average dementia survival time?
Let’s find out.
Dementia is a disease that is believed to affect more than thirty million people across the globe. It primarily affects older people who are over the age of 65.
The incurable illness is characterized by continued progressive disability.
This makes predicting the average dementia survival time quite difficult.
What is the Average Life Expectancy With Dementia?
Studies, nonetheless, indicate that on average, four and a half years is the median for survival after the onset of dementia.
Because people’s experiences are usually different, survival can also vary between 3.8 years to 10.7 years or more.
You should understand that dementia, in most cases, is not the direct cause of death.
Several risk factors that can impact the life expectancy of a person who has dementia such as:
Age of Diagnosis
The age where an individual is diagnosed with dementia might affect the number of years they have on earth. People who go through earlier diagnosis are likely to live longer.
Researchers working at the Johns Hopkins Schools of Public health uncovered that the average survival time for people who get a diagnosis at the age of 65 is 8.3 years.
On the other hand, on average, 3.4 is the average life expectancy for seniors who get diagnosed when they are 90. This is mostly because the latter do not have enough time to plan for care as the disease progresses.
Additionally, dementia may be identified when its later stages have already begun which naturally decreases the length of survival.
To add to this many seniors who have dementia are already frail and can be affected by other conditions or illnesses which may also contribute to an earlier death.
Younger individuals, on the other hand (under 65 years) may experience a slow decline since they have more energy; thus, end up living longer than the ones who are over 80 when they receive their diagnosis.
Gender
Several studies report that gender plays a role when it comes to average dementia survival rates.
It is said that women end up living slightly longer than men who have dementia. Averagely, male persons can live to a ripe age of 87 while their female counterparts can go up to 90.
This is even though women are at greater risk of developing dementia. Statistics show that about 2/3rds of people who have dementia are ladies.
Severity of Symptoms
The symptoms that a person who has dementia showcases may greatly affect average dementia survival chances.
Individuals who have severe motor impairments like a long history of falls or the tendency to walk away and get lost may have shorter life expectancies.
This is one of the reasons why it is important to work closely with a doctor when a person has dementia.
After thorough examinations, the medic might identify some problem areas that can be treated effectively.
At this point, you should remember that dementia currently does not have any cure.
However, there are treatments that a person may go through to help ease symptoms. These can be in the form of medicine or alternative treatments like therapies.
Consequently, this can help add some years to the individuals’ life on earth.
Type of Dementia
There are different types of dementia that can affect a person. This can also determine the life expectancy of the ill individual.
Note that each of the dementia types will have different rates of progression and patterns.
It is; therefore, important to get the proper diagnosis so that an individual can know how to deal with the dementia they have.
Let’s touch base on the average life expectancy of people who have different types of dementia.
1. Alzheimer’s Disease
This is the most common dementia cause characterized by a build-up of abnormal proteins that damage the brain.
The lifespan of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease is typically between eight-twelve years. Healthy and fit individuals, however, tend to live longer.
2. Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Lewy bodies can be described as small protein deposits that affect memory, movement and thought. About 7% of dementia cases account for dementia with Lewy Bodies.
Experts believe that people with this type of dementia may have about six-twelve years on earth after diagnosis. Survival can be shorter for people with severe symptoms.
3. Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia develops when small strokes continually damage the brain. Research indicates that life expectancy may be about four years.
This is mostly because Vascular dementia is also linked to other illnesses that cause that affect general health.
4. Frontotemporal dementia
Also known as Pick’s disease, this affects a person when there is damage in both their temporal and frontal brain lobes.
It is mostly diagnosed in people who are between the ages of 45-65.
Individuals with this type of dementia usually have about eight years to live from when the symptom start showing.
Alarmingly, the young-onset of the illness tends to progress faster.
This implies that a person who gets their diagnosis at thirty years to fifty may live fewer years than the one who is diagnosed at an older age.
Other Health Problems
It is not uncommon for people with dementia to experience a host of other medical conditions.
Persons who have a history of heart attacks, heart disease, or diabetes might have shorter lifespans than the ones who do not have these health factors.
It means that persons who have dementia need to be very cautious about their health.
As a person grows older, they become more prone to infections and other diseases.
When these affect an individual, they can cause severe trouble to an individual, especially if they go untreated.
Persons with dementia should always consult with professional medical personnel talking about all the symptoms they are facing.
The medics can save a life opening up more years on earth.
Functioning Levels
The level of function is also one of the factors that can affect average dementia survival time. Some experts believe that persons who have higher levels of function may celebrate more birthdays.
This goes beyond memory and simple brain function.
Evidently, people who do more things for themselves have longer life-spans even with the presence of advanced dementia.
This is probably because they move around using their muscles without just sitting around something that is healthy for the body and mind.
Lifestyle Factors
The way a person chooses to live his/her life after a dementia diagnosis can also dictate how long they have on earth.
Some people do not receive the news well; hence, end up putting themselves into trouble.
They do this in several ways like drinking too much, smoking cigarettes, using medications without prescriptions and generally letting themselves go.
This is usually not a good move because it causes the immune system of the body to go lower, which means that one can end up making their exit on earth sooner.
It is advisable to be calm when you receive the news.
Yes, it may be daunting at first, but if a person chooses to take good care of themselves, there is a chance that they may end up living many more years without too much suffering.
Other factors that people may think may have an impact on longevity in persons with dementia include:
Whether a person lives at home or in an assisted facility
Whether an individual is married, divorced, or single
Level of education
In rare cases, individuals with less education live slightly longer than those with more education.
Some people may also argue that seniors living at home may be at an advantage of enjoying more years than the ones who are at a care facility.
In line with this, it may also seem like married people might enjoy a longer life expectancy than the ones who do not have partners.
The truth is after multiple studies, the differences in the above situations are not statistically significant.
How Many Years Does Treatment Add?
Sadly treatment does not stop the progression of dementia. It only takes care of some of the symptoms, and in some cases, it can slow down the advancement of the illness.
This said, there is still no resounding evidence as to whether treatment can help add time to a person’s life or not.
Ultimately, the illness will progress and side effects and symptoms become worse as it takes a toll on the body and brain.
It is not to say that persons who have dementia should not consider treatment.
Talk to a professional doctor about possible treatment because it can help to treat some of the symptoms while at the same time improving the quality of life.
Closing Thoughts
Talking about average dementia survival time can be stressful and challenging.
Statistics can easily scare people with the illness and those around them especially caregivers.
However, not all people experience this progressive disease in the same manner.
Most people can still live good lives filled with togetherness and joy with dementia. Thankfully, there are loads of resources online that a person can use to help improve their dementia.
Mostly all they need is support, love, and a doctor’s guidance to live their lives to the fullest.
