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Coping With Dementia And Behavior Changes

Rok Krivec Blog, Prevention , , ,
coping with dementia

It is vitally important to be armed with the right information about coping with dementia and behavior changes.

A person who has dementia goes through many stages and conditions in their lives, which might surprise you if you are unaware of them.

This is because the disease affects the brain triggering the loss of thinking skills, memory, communication, and many other aspects.

People with dementia may behave differently, especially during the middle to the final stages of the illness.

It mostly happens when an individual discovers that they are no longer in control of what is happening in and out of their lives.

This can cause a lot of stress not only for the person who has dementia but their loved ones and caregivers as well.

Depending on how the illness affects a person, there are various ways you may notice changes in how they conduct themselves.

Coping with dementia behavior changes

Here are a few common behavior changes examples and what to do when they occur.

Fidgeting and Restlessness

coping with dementia fidgeting and restlessness
At some point, many people with dementia will develop restlessness behaviors. This is where an individual gets into the habit of pacing up and down without reason.

They may also start fidgeting without cause from the blues. Some will get agitated very quickly and may want to lash out at people all the time.

To take care of this issue, it is important that the person with dementia have a routine that they try and stick to on a daily basis.

This can help to keep them calm because they know what they do every day; thus, there is no need to fidget around or be restless.

Regular exercise has also been known to minimize restlessness.

When you notice that a person is always fidgeting, it is advisable to keep their hands busy with items like worry beads, or other items that they consider meaningful.

In the case of agitation, it may help to create a calm, soothing environment for a person who is triggered. Talking reassuring and lovingly to the person can help cool them down.

You may also want to consider something like a massage or any other activity that helps promote relaxation.

Wandering

coping with dementia wandering
Individuals who have dementia may start to walk around aimlessly.

There are multiple reasons why they can do this, such as medication side effects, boredom, or they want to look for someone or something.

Wandering can put someone in danger.

A person can even get lost since they may not be able to trace their way back home.

To prevent this from happening, there are a couple of solutions you can explore to help you in the journey of coping with dementia, like:

  • Changing locks so that the person with the illness cannot easily get out of the house alone. It may seem a little mean, but there are times when you need to do this to keep the individual safe.
  • Accompanying the individuals on walks or when they go to the shops is encouraged.
  • Consider alarm systems, home monitoring systems, and tracking devices to enhance security.
  • A person fond of wandering should wear an ID bracelet with the phone number of a relative. It comes in handy when somehow they get lost because someone out there can help them get reunited with their caregiver.

Hallucinations and Delusions

hallucinations and delusions
A person with dementia may, at times, develop false beliefs or delusions.

At times when a person with dementia experiences delusions, it can be paranoia.

For instance, a person might think that a spouse is being unfaithful, someone is stealing from them or people are out to get them.

Delusions can also be related to loss of memory. In such an instance, one might want to wake up and go to work even when they retired long ago.

Others may feel the need to take care of children even when they do not have any or get in a car and drive when they do not have a license.

When a person is going through these episodes, it is important to go in and see the doctor. The professional will be in the best position to rule out any medical issues.

Abrupt mental status changes can be brought about by pneumonia, constipation, urinary tract infections, dehydration, and other medical conditions.

At home, loved ones can try and distract the person with dementia with a conversation that sparks their interest.

Caregivers should not tell the affected individual not to be scared.

Instead, it is better to empathize with what they are going through and offer reassurance in a comforting and respectful manner.

You should also check out the environment that triggers hallucinations.

Be on the lookout for auditory and visual cues that may make a person feel threatened.

Eliminate or minimize shadows, objects, and noises that can be misperceived as disturbing or scary.

You should also try and identify the items that make the person feel secure.

It can be anything from a stuffed animal, photography, spiritual or religious item.

Depression

depression
A high percentage of people with dementia also suffer from depression.

Getting to know if a person who has dementia also has depression can be quite challenging since both conditions have similar symptoms.

A medical professional can, however, conduct a thorough evaluation to diagnose depression.

Thankfully, depression does not have to be a huge burden to someone coping with dementia.

Treatment is available and it normally involves a combination of counseling, medication and continuing reconnection to people and activities that bring bliss.

As a caregiver do not be the one always to tell a dementia patient to “try harder,” “snap out of it,” or “cheer up” because this rarely helps.

People who have dementia and depression cannot simply get better by themselves. They need a lot of professional help, reassurance, and support.

Sleep Problems

sleep problems
Many senior dementia patients complain about sleep all the time. Poor sleeping habits, certain medications, alcohol use, and stress are some contributing factors that lead to disturbed sleep.

Restlessness, agitation, and confusion can also affect how a person with dementia sleeps.

Studies reveal that sleep issues are one of the reasons individuals with dementia have to stay in nursing homes.

So that a person can function well, they must get enough quality sleep.

Some tips that can help with ensuring a person with dementia does not end up struggling to get a shut-eye include:

1. Keeping away from alcohol because it contributes to confusion and also increases anxiety.

2. Limit beverages and food that contain high caffeine levels, especially later in the day because it can lead to sleeplessness.

3. Plan the days in a way that incorporates numerous activities. When you fill-up the days with meaningful activities, it can lead to exhaustion so that a person sleeps well at night.

It can be anything from taking walks, exercising, or participating in involving hobbies. However, you must be careful not to overstimulate the individual with dementia.

This will only lead to disorientation, which is not healthy for one’s sleeping time. It is also important to limit nap time as this can also affect how a person sleeps.

It may also help to come up with a bedtime routine that mainly focuses on relaxing activities such as giving the person with the illness a massage or listening to soft music.

Hoarding

hoarding
Some people will dementia will pick up a habit along the way where they cannot let go of their possessions.

As a person who is coping with dementia, several things that can lead to the development of this behavior like isolation, loss, fear, and memories of the past.

To help the individual deal with this, you can try and keep them busy with other things. For instance, you can give them a box full of different items that they can sort.

You can also learn where a person hides the things they want to hoard and remove them without the individual noticing.

You must be very careful with this so as not to agitate them further causing more problems.

Closing Remarks

There is no set of rules that you should follow when it comes to coping with dementia.

To best meet the challenges, you need to use a lot of compassion, creativity, patience, and flexibility to try and make the best out of a rather challenging situation.

Some things must be put into consideration when dealing with a person who has dementia, like:

1. It is not possible to change the person because it is a brain disorder that shapes how they behave.

2. Rather than try and control behavior, it’s best to try and accommodate the new changes in the best possible way.

For example, if a person wants to sleep on the floor, do not force them to climb on the bed. You can place a mattress on the floor instead to make them feel as comfortable as possible.

3. When there is a sudden behavior change, it is always wise to consult with a doctor. This is because some problems may come about because of various underlying medical reasons.

A person with dementia may be in pain or be experiencing side effects from the medications they are taking.

Sometimes, hallucinations or side effects may be caused by treatment or medication that is helping to manage the condition.

Vitamin D and Dementia – Deficiency Risk?

Rok Krivec Blog, Prevention, Resources ,
vitamin D and dementia

Recent studies suggest that there may be a connection between low levels of vitamin D and dementia risk.

Researchers revealed that vitamin D deficiency might play a role in dementia development.

Note that the particular vitamin is essential for good health because it plays a significant role in the prevention of various health conditions like hypertension, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes amongst others.

Vitamin D and the Risk of Dementia

Vitamin D which is a group of secosteroids helps the intestines to absorb zinc, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, and iron.

The vitamin is also important to bone metabolism.

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Enhance Aging Proces?

does vitamin D deficiency enhance aging proces
It is still not clear about the role that vitamin D plays concerning the aging process, cognition, and brain function.

Some studies reveal that the vitamin may be involved in several processes that relate to cognition, but more research needs to be done to understand this relationship better.

Humans mainly absorb vitamin D from sunlight and it also occurs naturally in some foods like different types of fish, cod liver oil, beef liver, orange juice, milk and yogurt that have been fortified with vitamin D.

Statistics indicate about 40-75% of adults suffer from vitamin D deficiency.

Now that you are aware of the importance of the vitamin in the human body, let’s go ahead and learn about the connection between vitamin D and dementia.

Studies Investigating the Link between Dementia and Vitamin D Deficiency

studies investigating the link between dementia and vitamin D deficiency
One of the studies trying to unearth the connection between the deficiency and the neurodegenerative disease was conducted by an international research team.

The experts followed over 1,600 participants for 6 years. All the participants were seniors.

The researchers discovered that elderly persons with severe vitamin D deficiency were two times likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s when compared to the seniors who had adequate vitamin D levels.

The persons with a severe deficiency (less than 25nmol/l) recorded a 125% increased dementia risk while the ones who had mild deficiency (between 25-50nmol/l) has a 53% risk.

David Llewellyn who was the lead author from the University of Exeter Medical School explained that the primary aim of conducting the research was to know if there was a connection between low levels of vitamin D and dementia & Alzheimer’s risk.

He said that the results were quite surprising because they found that the association between the diseases and the deficiency was twice as much as the team had projected.

Vitamin D Deficient Individuals Show Cognitive Decline Symptoms

vitamin D deficient individuals show cognitive decline symptoms
Another study confirming the link between vitamin D and dementia had experts observing 858 adults who were above the age of 65. They published their findings in an issue of The Archives of Internal Medicine.

They found that the participants who had low levels of vitamin D in their blood i.e. less than 25 nanomoles for each litre of blood were 60% more likely to show cognitive decline symptoms.

31% were more likely to show a decline in executive function/prioritizing, planning, and organizing than the ones who had enough vitamin D in their blood.

A different study published in JAMA Neurology adds to the evidence that links cognitive decline to low vitamin D levels. The study had 382 participants with an average age of 75.5 years.

Among the group some people were healthy, others had mild cognitive decline, and the rest already had dementia. The research went on for 5 years and every year researchers took blood tests to evaluate the levels of vitamin D present in all the participants.

They found that the group that had dementia had a lower vitamin D average than the other two groups. The experts also conducted cognitive tests in a bid to evaluate semantic memory, episodic memory, executive function, and visual perception.

The results of these tests indicated that group members who had lower vitamin D levels demonstrated a greater decline in both episodic memory and cognitive ability.

This led the authors of the study to believe that there is a link between cognitive decline and vitamin D deficiency.

Can Vitamin D Supplementation Slow Cognitive Decline?

can vitamin D supplementation slow cognitive decline
The researcher, however, noted that the study did not necessarily prove that the two have anything in common. The authors acknowledged that it is still not clear whether vitamin D supplementation can slow down cognitive decline.

UC Davis researchers will be conducting yet another study that will determine whether high doses of vitamin D can help in the prevention of memory loss.

This is after they got a financial boost from the National Institutes of Health to the tune of $4.7 million.

The researchers are embarking on a 5-year journey from 2018 where they will be testing the use of supplements in various populations.

They want to get first-hand information on whether supplementation can help prevent cognitive decline in seniors and whether the association is stronger in Latinos and African-Americans.

The leader of this research professor of neurology John Olichney is on record saying that vitamin D deficiency normally affects the elderly because the skin does not effectively synthesize the vitamin as people grow older.

He states that the problem is more rampant in persons who have darker skin.

The study will follow 180 participants in the East Bay and Sacramento regions.

Among the group a third will have normal cognition, another third will have isolated memory loss, while the rest of the group will have mild Alzheimer’s dementia.

Every participant will get Vitamin D supplements. Half the group will be on a high dosage- 4,000 units daily while the rest will get standard intake that comprises 800 international units as the Institute of Medicine recommends.

We have to wait for the results of this study to get a better picture of the relationship between vitamin D and dementia.

Closing Remarks

While some studies show strong links between dementia development and vitamin D deficiency, researchers cannot conclude that vitamin D deficiency results in dementia.

On the flip side, some studies have found that there is no association between vitamin D and dementia. It goes to show that further research and clinical trials are necessary to establish cause and effect.

This will give a conclusive answer on whether adequate levels of vitamin D can treat or prevent dementia.

15+ Best Lewy Body Dementia Treatment Options

Rok Krivec Blog, Prevention, Types , , ,
lewy body dementia treatment

After a person has been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, the first thing they want to know is the options available in regards to Lewy body dementia treatment.

This is a type of dementia that develops when abnormal protein deposits, also known as Lewy bodies, are found in various areas of the brain.

These round, smooth lumps end up disrupting the normal functioning of the brain.

Sadly, to date, there is still no cure for the condition.

Best Lewy Body Dementia Treatment

There are some treatment options, however, available to help treat specific LBD symptoms, such as:

Use of Medications

There are different types of drugs that specialists can recommend for individuals who have Lewy body dementia as follow.

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

cholinesterase inhibitors
These are medications for Alzheimer’s disease that help to boost the levels of chemical messengers understood to be vital for judgment, memory, and thought in the brain.

Apparently, they enhance cognition and alertness. In some cases, they also help to reduce hallucinations and a host of other behavioral problems.

Drugs that your doctor may prescribe to help with these include Exelon, Razadyne, or Aricept among others.

Parkinson’s disease Medicine

parkinson's disease medicine
Some drugs can help reduce some of the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease like slow movement and rigid muscles. These are drugs like Duopa, Rytary, and Sinemet, etc.

After taking these, you may find that a person can walk better and they experience less muscle stiffness.

Memantine

memantine
This is a drug that works by blocking the effects a person gets when they have excess amounts of glutamate, a chemical in the brain. It is mainly used by individuals who have moderate or severe dementia with Lewy bodies.

It’s also suitable for those who cannot take inhibitors for one reason or another.

Physicians may also recommend medications to treat some of the symptoms and signs that people with Lewy body dementia have.

Some individuals may be put on anti-psychotic drugs or tranquilizers to help lessen agitation.

Those who are facing depression may also get Antidepressants. These may offer solutions for sleep issues or movement problems.

Depending on how the body reacts to the illness, the person with Lewy body dementia may be on one or multiple drugs at the same time.

Before you take any drug to help with the medical condition, it is important to check any side effects they may bring about.

Some of the drugs above may bring about increased delusions, hallucinations, and confusion depending on the drug you are taking.

This is why it is important to consult widely with professionals before you start taking any medication.

Many doctors will start administering the medication in low doses, and if it is beneficial to the person with dementia, they increase the dosage levels over time.

If you experience any side effects, report to the physician immediately so that the professional will advise on whether to discontinue the drug or not.

When using medicine as part of the Lewy body dementia treatment plan, it is advisable to stay away from drugs that have anticholinergic properties.

These may end up making the condition worse because of the numerous adverse side effects they can cause. First-generation antipsychotic medications are also on the list of medications to avoid.

These can cause severe Parkinsonism, confusion, sedation, and can also be fatal.

Non-Drug Treatment Options

non-drug dementia treatment options
Non-drug approaches can also be part of the comprehensive Lewy body dementia treatment plan.

Depending on an individual, one may combine medication and these treatment varieties while others may stick to one type of treatment.

There are several options people have when it comes to non-medicinal treatment options, such as:

Therapies

People who have Lewy body dementia can benefit from different types of therapies, like:

1. Speech therapy

This can come in handy for individuals who experience poor enunciation and low voice volume. Experts agree that it can also help with swallowing challenges and enhancing muscle strength.

2. Physical therapy

Some of the options available include flexibility, strengthening and cardiovascular exercises as well as gait training.

Doctors may also advise a person with Lewy dementia to be active in a physical fitness program to engage in activities like water exercises, aerobics, and strengthening exercises.

3. Occupational therapy

It is also highly recommended because it may assist in maintaining skills as well as promoting independence and function.

Do not miss our complete overview of the different benefits of occupational therapy.

4. Psychological therapies

These can include cognitive stimulation where a person engages in exercises and other actives that help to enhance language ability, problem-solving skills, and memory.

5. Mental health counseling

This helps persons with dementia with Lewy bodies to learn how to better cope with their emotions and behavior changes.

Complementary Therapies

Lewy body dementia treatment complementary therapies
There are other forms of therapies that can help people who have Lewy body dementia feel better, like:

1. Pet therapy

For most people spending time with pets, they love can be an automatic mood booster. Getting a cat, dog, bird, or any other animal that a person loves can be just what they need to feel better.

2. Supplements and vitamins

Studies suggest that people with dementia with Lewy bodies lack adequate vitamins and nutrients in their bodies, something that can make the illness worse.

Taking adequate supplements and vitamins can help to take care of this problem. Just consult with your physician before taking anything because some of the supplements can interact with the drugs you are taking.

3. Aroma, dance, and music therapy

These usually work to improve an individual’s mood and also reduce anxiety by soothing and calming an individual.

We also created individual articles about aromatherapy, dance therapy and music therapy, where you can learn about all the benefits.

4. Massage

A person may also need professional massages once in a while to help with relaxation.

Home Modifications

home modifications
Although this may not be direct Lewy body dementia treatment options, some changes around the house can help a person with dementia to be more comfortable.

Several things can be done under this including:

1. Reducing clutter

With the help of a professional caregiver, it is crucial to modify the environment where the person with Lewy body dementia will be spending most of their time.

This can include using calming colors and removing things that can distract the person with the illness so that they can function better.

2. Make adjustment

Removing potential trip hazards like loose carpets can be of great help to persons with Lewy body dementia.

It is also vital to make sure that the affected person stays in a well-lit place. Adding handrails and grab bars is also a great idea.

You should also arrange furniture in such a way that it will not get in the way and cause problems.

Other Lewy body dementia treatment options that can be of assistance include:

1. Family psychotherapy

This helps people who want to support the patient with Lewy body dementia to learn how to effectively manage behavioral and emotional symptoms to co-exist well with their loved ones.

2. Getting quality sleep

It is common for people with Lewy body dementia to experience episodes of sleep disturbance.

It is, however, important for caregivers and individuals to try as much as possible to get restful nights as this also helps with treatment.

Some of the things that people can do include napping less during the daytime, engaging in physical exercise and having regular bed-time and waking-up time.

It is also advisable to avoid caffeine and nicotine when you are just about to jump into bed. Keeping the sleeping area quiet at comfortable temperatures can also help a great deal.

3. Stimulating mental functioning

You can do this easily by playing games and puzzles that demand thinking skills.

4. Support group

A person with dementia with Lewy bodies can also join a support group. These allow them to be surrounded by other people who have similar illnesses so that a person does not feel like they are alone.

Sharing experiences of the illnesses can also help one to identify practical solutions that they can use daily to reduce frustrations.

These may also encourage members to take part in exciting activities they like so that they can take their mind off the illness and enjoy life a little bit.

5. Creating routines

Having set structures and routines has been known to be beneficial to people with dementia because it helps to reduce confusion.

It can also help to enhance independence, especially during the first stages of the illness.

Final thoughts

Because people with Lewy body dementia usually experience the condition differently, it is important to be very careful when selecting the ideal Lewy body dementia treatment option.

What may work for one person may end up making your situation worse. Do not self-medicate simply because you read somewhere that there are drugs people with dementia can take to manage symptoms.

Always work with an expert physician who will closely monitor any medication or non-drug treatment you are on to know whether it is good for your body or not.

It’s also essential to conduct thorough research because they are new treatment methods cropping up often.

This will not only help you stay informed, but you can discuss the new developments with your doctor to pick a treatment option that will work for you.

Senile Dementia – What Is It & What Causes It?

Rok Krivec Blog , , ,
senile dementia

Dementia typically comes in various forms; one of them believed to be senile dementia. Generally, this is a term that was in the past used to describe all types of dementia.

This is no longer the case since senility is no longer in use as a diagnosis for dementia. Before going deeper into this illness, it is better to start by describing what senility is.

What is Senile or Senile Dementia?

what is senile dementia
Senility is regarded as the deterioration of the mind and body, which usually comes with advanced aging.

A majority of senile persons usually experience a mental decline or decrease in cognitive abilities.

This can be characterized by an individual’s inability to recall information, concentrate, and judge situations in the proper way.

Sadly, the word “senile” for the longest time had an undesirable connotation largely due to a lack of understanding of the challenges that come with growing older.

This leads to people using the word in the wrong way.

Meaning, making it sound like a senile person is one who is dazed, confused, or unable to function well, rather than look at it as an authentic health condition.

Nowadays, we do not use the term senile to describe older people anymore.

The term senile has also been used in combination with other phrases.

These include senile dementia, senile plaques, and senile Alzheimer’s. It has also been added as a descriptor of other medical conditions like senile osteoporosis or senile arthritis.

In such a context, senile usually refers to the age (older) when the condition started developing and has nothing to do with cognitive function or decline.

Several symptoms associate with senility such as:

  • Wrinkled skin
  • Changes in posture
  • Reduced muscle strength
  • Stiffness of joints
  • Brittle bones or bone loss
  • Changes in the eye’s muscles and lens
  • Brittle bones
  • Hardened arteries
  • Loss of hearing or vision
  • Childish behavior at times
  • Impaired judgment
  • Memory loss

A majority of the physical changes are attributed to growing older. On the other hand, we can assign psychological changes to the aging of cortical brain cells.

Senility in most cases applies to mental decline.

Factors That Cause Senility

factors that cause senility
We are familiar with many causes that can lead to senility, including:

1. Alzheimer’s disease

This tops the list when it comes to the most common senility causes. In short, Alzheimer’s disease usually begins with challenges learning and also recalling recent events.

2. Brain disorders

A person who suffers from brain disorders is a potential candidate for senility. The disorders can be caused by anything from illness, infection, or trauma.

3. Medical Conditions

An array of medical conditions is also documented to cause senility. These can include illnesses such as Pick’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, vascular dementia, stroke, Huntington disease, AIDS, Down syndrome, and many others.

4. Depression

Persons who undergo major depression are also at risk of senility.

5. Alcohol and drug abuse

People who overindulge in alcohol and abuse drugs are prone to senility. Likewise, individuals who inhale paint or any other substances so that they can become high are also at an increased risk of developing senility.

6. Dehydration and over-medication

These are factors that can make a person exhibit some senility signs which most of the time lead to a false diagnosis of dementia.

Going by the signs above it is obvious that some of the factors that lead to senility are similar to those of dementia.

For this reason, it is important for everyone who shows signs of dementia to get tested by a professional first to confirm the diagnosis.

Now that you have a little background on what senility is all about, let’s jump back to senile dementia.

What exactly is senility?

Judging by the past use of this term, it is safe to say that it is a mental deterioration that is typically associated with old age.

There are two models of this type of dementia:

1. The one that comes because of Alzheimer’s type dementia (atrophy).
2. The second one is usually the result of vascular problems, mostly strokes.

Primary Differences between Dementia and Senility

primary differences between dementia and senility
By now, it should be quite clear that senility and dementia are two different medical conditions although many may use the terms interchangeably.

Dementia is a medical term that refers to a wide range of brain conditions that can lead to a progressive decline in how a person remembers things and thinks.

In the end, the loss of these abilities can make it increasingly challenging for individuals to care for themselves and function as before.

Dementia is certainly not senility because serious mental decline is not part of the normal aging process.

Several causes can lead to dementia, such as:

When you look at the causes of both senility and dementia, there may be some similarities but there are also some major differences.

Most of the comparable causes exist because both conditions typically affect seniors as they grow older.

On one hand, dementia can be quite seriously messing up with a person’s reasoning skills, visual perception, communication skills, focusing abilities and memory.

This is an illness that can turn your life upside down.

Senility rarely interferes with a person’s daily life, especially if one is proactive in slowing down or minimizing the decline process.

Persons who have senility may occasionally struggle to remember people they know, things, events or struggle to find the right words to use at a particular moment.

While people with dementia may also go through this, it tends to happen all the time rather than occasionally as is the case with senility.

A person with senility may end up remembering things later and most of them can use organizational tools and notes successfully.

This does not usually happen with individuals who have dementia, especially if they are in the final stages of the disease.

The loved ones of a person who has senility may not have to worry about his or her memory issues.

The situation is different from dementia cases because family members continuously worry about an individual’s memory.

It is also important to note that another difference between senility and dementia is the fact that dementia is an accepted medical term.

Senility, however, is not yet accepted as an international medical term.

Similarities between Senility and Dementia

similarities between senility and dementia
Because senile dementia is no longer a thing, it is wise to look at the conditions separately.

Even though the two conditions are not synonymous, they do share quite a few similarities, including:

1. One of the major similarities between these two is the fact that they normally affect people who are above the age of 65. This is not to say that younger individuals cannot get dementia or senility but a majority of the cases happen as people grow older.

2. Both dementia and senility do not have sure treatment methods. When talking about treatment for senility, it is safe to say that there is no cure for normal aging.

However, there are a few things that people can do to stave off its severity and decline.

These include things like keeping physically active, eating a balanced diet, and engaging the mind, among many others to stay sharp.

The same case applies to dementia because there is still no cure for the disease.

Physicians can, however, prescribe drugs and lifestyle changes that can help one cope better with their current situation.

3. Both tend to become worse as the years go by. Persons with progressive dementia usually experience a decline with time.

This happens at different paces for different individuals. With some, the decline may occur fast while others may remain semi-independent for many years.

Senility can get worse as well. It primarily happens when an individual stays for a long time without taking hands-on measures to put a halt or reduce the decline process.

4. In the end, candidates who have senility and individuals who have dementia may both end up in senior care homes such as assisted living homes or nursing care.

This happens when a person’s independence is compromised; thus, needs extra help to go about their daily activities.

5. A person who has dementia may experience changes in mental health like the decline in judgment or memory loss. This can also happen to an elderly individual with senility because the condition also leads to a decline in adult’s cognitive and physical health.

Closing Remarks

It’s not hard to see why senile dementia was a term that they commonly used in the past, seeing that senility and dementia have a few similarities.

Experiencing senility signs can be alarming and scary. As soon as you struggle to remember where you kept your keys or think of a word while having a conversation, you may immediately think that you are at the onset of dementia.

This is not always the case.

To have peace of mind, it is best to seek medical advice as soon as possible. It is the only way to get a proper diagnosis so that you can now take the right steps to stay fitter and sharper to thrive in your golden years.

Also worth noting is that a person can have dementia without being senile.

The opposite scenario is also true where an individual may experience senility without getting dementia.

Coffee and Alzheimer’s Disease – Is It Good?

Rok Krivec Blog, Prevention ,
coffee and alzheimer's disease

There is great interest in the topic of coffee and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) prevention.

This is especially because there is still no cure for the neurodegenerative illness; thus, researchers are keen on factors that can help in the prevention or delayed progression of Alzheimer’s.

Coffee is one of the largest dietary caffeine sources. An ingredient that is known to have stimulating effects on the central nervous system.

Coffee also presents an array of health benefits.

It is known to improve alertness and short-term memory. Scientists are now stating that coffee may have protective effects on the human brain.

Is Caffeine Good For Alzheimer’s Disease?

Several studies also affirm that drinking coffee helps to decrease the risk of AD development.

In addition to caffeine, the positive effect may also be mediated by other mechanisms, like an increase in insulin sensitivity and antioxidant capacity.

Studies on Coffee and Alzheimer’s disease

studies on coffee and alzheimers disease
Several studies suggest that consuming coffee regularly over your lifetime can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Check out some of the studies below.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports that EHT (Eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide) a fatty acid substance in coffee beans helps to protect the brains of mice against various illnesses.

The team that led the research was from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine.

The researchers also observed that when EHT was combined with caffeine, it boosted the activity of a catalyst that aids in the prevention of accumulation of various harmful proteins that are associated with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

The researchers acknowledged the fact that more studies need to be done to determine the proper dosages of caffeine and EHT.

This will guide consumers on the best type of coffee and the number of cups that would offer the most protection.

Coffee helps limit degenerative brain illnesses

coffee helps limit degenerative brain illnesses
Scientists explain that caffeine and EHT are not the only protective compounds that coffee has to offer.

They say that chemical compounds, known as phenylindanes, also help to prevent the growth of proteins that relate to degenerative brain illnesses.

The compounds are formed when coffee is brewing.

Experts claim that darker roasts contain more protective compounds.

A different study on coffee and Alzheimer’s disease was published in Frontiers in Neuroscience.

Researchers from Krembil Brain Institute in Canada analyzed three samples of Starbucks through instant coffee to compare their chemical compounds.

The samples chosen were the decaffeinated dark roast, light roast, and dark roast.

They then exposed the extracts of each sample to 2 kinds of proteins. These were tau and amyloid-beta which are recognized as the hallmarks of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.

Studies reveal that as the conditions become worse the proteins tend to form clumps that are referred to as tau protein tangles and amyloid plaques in the brain.

Coffee may offer protection against Alzheimer’s progression

coffee may offer protection against alzheimer's progression
All the 3 coffee samples prevented protein “clumping” leading the researchers to conclude that there is something in coffee that may offer protection against the progression of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Because there was no major difference in the way the coffees performed, the researchers also suggested that it was not caffeine that was in charge of those benefits.

They, nonetheless, noticed that the two darker roasts had more inhibitory effects than the lighter roast.

As a result of this, the researchers started to consider phenylindanes which are the compounds that form during the process of coffee roasting which breakdown acids and gives the beverage a bitter taste.

Espressos and dark roasts have a higher concentration of phenylindanes.

According to Donald Weaver, the lead author of the research, the heating process gives access to chemicals that are usually not present.

He continued to say that phenylindanes display potent antioxidant activity even though their interactions with tau and amyloid proteins have not been previously recorded.

Darker coffee roasts or lighter?

darker coffee roasts or lighter alzheimer's disease
Further lab research in the quest to know how the consumption of coffee and Alzheimer’s disease prevention relate led the researchers to confirm that phenylindane mixture prevents protein clumping that is disease-related.

In the study, it was the only compound that showed an effect on both types of proteins.

For tau proteins, it showed more levels of inhibition than any other compound that was under investigation. The authors of the study concluded that it was majorly phenylindane that was responsible for the potent levels of protein inhibition.

They based their assumption on the fact that the darker coffee roasts did a better job than the light roast.

Because the study was still at the preliminary stage, Dr. Weaver says that at this point it would not be right to tell everyone to ditch their favorite cup of coffee for espresso or even start roasting their beans extra dark.

The researchers were hopeful that their findings would lead to more research on the relationship between coffee and Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Weaver said that researchers should now focus more on studying phenylindanes which can lead to the discovery of a drug-like compound that people can use to cure neurodegenerative illnesses.

Other constituents of coffee may help fight AD and other forms of dementia. Some animal studies suggest that trigonelline might enhance memory retention and be rich in neuroprotective properties.

Polyphenol antioxidant ferulic acid present in coffee was also given to mice.

The research found that it protects against cognitive deficient especially working and spatial memory.

It also prevents the loss of acetylcholine in the cerebral cortex and suppresses inflammation factors that are common with Alzheimer’s.

Can Coffee Make Alzheimer’s Symptoms Worse?

can coffee make alzheimers symptoms worse
While many studies state that coffee consumption is beneficial some say that drinking coffee may make the symptoms of Alzheimer’s worse.

An example of such a study was done by experts from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona.

They reported that a study on mice revealed that exposure to caffeine for long periods is likely to increase behavioral symptoms of the illness, like anxiety.

The study reported that mice who were on caffeinated water have greater levels of BPSD including neophobia and anxiety. They also said that caffeine has little benefit for memory and learning in rodents.

The authors of the research; hence, concluded that professionals need to be careful when recommending coffee or other products with caffeine to persons with Alzheimer’s.

Closing Remarks

There are many studies underway on coffee and Alzheimer’s disease. Most state that drinking coffee can help prevent the development of AD, others find no link between cognitive impairment and coffee consumption.

Then again, some state that coffee is not good for persons who have AD. This means that more research still needs to be conducted to come up with conclusive results.

Only then, we will know whether coffee plays a significant role in dementia prevention or not.

Olive Oil and Dementia- What’s the Verdict?

Rok Krivec Blog, Prevention , ,
olive oil and dementia

There is a heightened interest in the use of olive oil and dementia prevention.

This is after recent studies on mice suggested that consuming extra virgin oil plays a significant role in the prevention of the accumulation of protein tau, which is one of the hallmarks of different types of dementia.

In the past, extra virgin oil has been known for its ability to reduce the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol.

This is because it is rich in monounsaturated or “good” fatty acids.

There may be added benefits of extra virgin oil, seeing that many studies report that it also has some cognitive and neuroprotective benefits.

Check out brief details of some of the studies below.

Does Olive Oil Help Dementia?

Olive Oil Can Help to Improve Memory and Learning

olive oil can help to improve memory and learning
A study conducted in 2012 on mice explains that extra virgin oil enhances the rodents’ performance in memory tests and they also record improvement in learning.

The alleged reason for these findings is that the oil contains high levels of powerful antioxidant compounds known as polyphenols.

These might reverse age or disease-related memory impairment and learning.

Extra Virgin Oil May Reduce Early Neurological Dementia Signs

extra virgin oil may reduce early <a href=neurological dementia signs” width=”1000″ height=”788″ class=”alignnone size-full wp-image-11129″ />
When looking into the issue of olive oil and dementia, it is important to refer to a study that was published in the journal Aging Cell in November 2019.

It stated that in mice, olive oil reduced some of the early neurological signs of dementia specifically Alzheimer’s disease.

Intervention from the extra virgin oil helped to reduce inflammation in the brain, but most importantly, activates autophagy.

This is a process where the brain cells break down and eliminate intracellular toxins and debris like tau tangles and amyloid plaques.

The process helped to maintain the integrity of the mice’s synapses which refer to the connection between neurons.

Dr. Domenico Pratico a professor at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine in the Department of Pharmacology and Microbiology at Temple University fronted the research.

He and his team opted to take this route with their study after previous research done by investigators at the same medical institution has concluded that consuming extra virgin oil protects against Alzheimer’s disease and prevents loss of memory.

Neurological benefits of olive oil

neurological benefits of olive oil
Dr. Pratico and his team of researchers also conducted another study on the neurological benefits of olive oil. His team took to study the effect of extra virgin oil on tauopathies.

These are known as cognitive conditions that are age-related where protein tau accumulates in the brain triggering the development of dementia because of their toxicity levels.

The team, while seeking to uncover the relationship between olive oil and dementia, adopted an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model referred to as the triple transgenic model.

In this case, the mice develop three main characteristics of the illness i.e. neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid plagues, and memory impairment.

There were two groups of mice in the study to give researchers a clear picture of the results. They gave one set of mice prone to the accumulations of tau, a chow diet rich in virgin oil.

The other group of mice was put on a regular chow diet even though they were also prone to toxic levels of tau accumulations.

The extra virgin oil the experts used to feed the mice in the lab was from Italy’s Apulia region. A chemical analysis revealed that extra virgin oil had a polyphenol count of up to 253 milligrams for every kilogram.

The levels of different forms of vitamin E (tocopherol a & y) were also measured at 381 milligrams for each Kg and 23 milligrams per kilo respectively.

The researchers fed the mice with extra virgin oil from the age of 6 months, which is equivalent to about 30 years in humans.

Extra virgin olive oil has positive effects

extra virgin olive oil has positive effects
After about one year, which is equal to around 60 years in human beings, the researchers documented their findings.

Note that in overall appearance, it did not appear as though there were significant differences in the two groups of mice.

However, the researchers found that the set of mice that were on a diet rich in extra virgin oil had 60% fewer tau deposits than the ones on the regular diet.

The results further stated that mice that were on extra virgin oil also gave a better performance in standard in various learning ability, working and spatial memory tests.

The research group went ahead to analyze brain tissues from both groups of rodents.

They discovered substantial differences in the appearance and function of the nerve cell. Among these includes synaptic integrity. Dr. Domenico explained that synapses which are the integrity of the connections between neurons were preserved in the mice that were consuming an extra virgin oil diet.

There was also an increase in autophagy activation in the nerve cells in the same group of mice, which was responsible for the reduction of phosphorylated tau and amyloid plaque levels.

The study of olive oil and dementia show positive results

the study of olive oil and dementia
As a result of the autophagy, synaptic integrity and memory were also preserved. This was a significant discovery in the study of olive oil and dementia, according to Dr. Pratico, because he believes that autophagy reduction leads to the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease.

The research team plans to further this research by investigating the effects of giving extra virgin oil to mice that are 12 years old. They want to see if it will have any positive impact on mice that have developed tangles and plaques already.

Dr. Domenico explained that in most cases when a person visits the doctor while suspecting that they have dementia, the illness is usually present.

The study aims at knowing whether extra virgin oil has the same results when added at a later time. The results may determine at what point people need to start consuming the oil to reverse or stop dementia.

Olive Oil and Dementia Closing Remarks

The studies on olive oil and dementia are not yet sufficient. Additional research needs to be done to fully understand the impact that extra virgin oil has on the protection against various forms of dementia.

Future research may be directed towards learning about the mechanisms that the oil uses to support brain health.

Reminiscence Therapy For Dementia

Rok Krivec Blog, Prevention ,
reminiscence therapy

The positive and beneficial effects of reminiscence therapy on a person with dementia as a treatment could be very impactful.

Dementia is one of the illnesses that does not have a medical cure yet.

However, there are some treatments and drugs that can help with symptoms of the illness.

With the right treatment and therapy, you can alleviate the condition and even slow down the progression.

What is reminiscence therapy for dementia?

One that has been known to be effective over the years is reminiscence therapy (RT) also referred to as life review therapy. This involves talking about past events, activities, and experiences with other people.

This type of treatment yields successful results mainly because individuals with the disease tend to be more comfortable talking about things that happened long ago.

Worth noting is that with dementia memories are typically lost in reverse order. This implies that the memories that one forms recently become more fleeting than those from years ago.

Dementia normally starts in the part of the brain known as the hippocampus.

This is the section that puts experiences into memory. When the area is damaged, recent experiences do not get that chance to convert to memories.

It’s only later when the disease starts to affect the regions in the brain where memories are stored. This means that these memories usually remain available even during the later stages of the illness.

For this reason, dementia and reminiscence complement each other. Let’s dig further into how the therapy works for persons who have dementia.

How does Reminiscence Help with Dementia?

how rt works
The primary aim of life review therapy is to help an individual with dementia reconnect even though they are facing memory loss challenges.

It can be described as a form of talk therapy that motivates people to revisit past moments. This may assist a person to connect with individuals they love or process pleasant life events.

It can work in a group or one-on-one setting.

This therapy targets the sections of the brain that is responsible for cognition and long-term memory. It stimulates these parts of the brain, encouraging the discussion of memories that are tacked away.

The therapy stimulates these memories via multiple sensory organs, which makes the brain react differently than how it normally does.

These reactions can impact behavior or emotions.

A couple of studies show that the therapy helps older individuals to better engage with others.

Older adults who start to feel disconnected or left behind have been known to open up during the life review therapy sessions. This type of therapy does not only benefit persons with dementia but their relatives, friends, and caregivers as well.

It helps those around the person with the illness have a better understanding of dementia to know how to treat their loved ones.

Aids and Prompts for Reminiscing

For reminiscence therapy to work, some aids or props may come in handy. These assist in the initiation and sustainability of the process.

1. Pictures

pictures
Photos that spark memories are a great way to assist in the reminiscence process. Pictures of relatives and friends or anything else in a person’s history are some of the best choices because they help to elicit memories.

Moreover, photos that will remind the viewer of their favorite hobbies also work well.

For instance, someone who loves to spend time knitting might enjoy looking at magazines with different knitting designs.

People who love to cook may appreciate gourmet magazines that are full of appetizing food pictures. The same applies to historical events, crafts, sports, etc.

2. Smells and Tastes

smells and tastes
Sensory stimulation also does a great job when it comes to reminiscing. Familiar smells especially are excellent for bringing back fond memories.

To help out with this, you can create scent jars or cards with the use of essential oils or spices that will remind seniors of foods or places they love.

3. Tactile Activities

tactile activities
Touching is another way to remind people of the past.

It is best done through familiar activities like pottery, paintings, sewing, knitting or other crafts that can bring back memories.

Even if a person cannot participate in these activities anymore, doing things like touching the paintbrushes, scribbling with chalk, swirling watercolors, playing with fabric, or squeezing yarn can help bring forth strong memories.

Another way of using touch is by using objects. Perhaps wearing items like necklaces, watches, and other pieces of jewelry can bring back some lovely memories of significant life events.

One more idea that can work is to bring a piece of clothing like a suit or dress that the person with dementia loved to wear to key events.

4. Music

music
This is another popular option of stimulating reminiscing. Songs may trigger memories of what an individual was up to twenty, fifty, or even sixty years ago.

He/she might remember their school days or when they first went out on a date. It may help to offer positive emotional feedback.

More familiar music will arouse stronger emotional responses. Nonetheless, even unfamiliar tunes can assist in the reminiscence process.

Musical activities to explore in this case include: listening to their favorite classics, enjoying sing-alongs, or playing music on simple instruments like bells, shakers, drums or tambourines.

Types of Life Review Therapies

types of life review therapies
There are three main types of Reminiscence therapy, as discussed below:

1. Simple Reminiscence

This is where a person tries to reflect on past events in an enjoyable and informative manner.

2. Evaluative Reminiscence

This takes on more of a therapy approach. Not only can this be used to review life, but it can also work to help resolve conflicts at times.

3. Offensive-Defensive Reminiscence

At times during RT, an individual may recall stressful or unpleasant memories. It can cause negative changes in behavior or the development of emotional issues.

When this happens, it is advisable to deal with them head-on to offer a resolution. This helps an individual to come to terms with the life events that they would rather keep hidden and possibly even achieve closure.

Benefits of Reminiscence Therapy

benefits of reminiscence therapy
Over the years, people with dementia have benefitted from RT in several ways, including:

1. Enhancing Cognitive Capacity

A study by Geriatrics and Gerontology International published in 2007 concluded that reminiscence programs are effective ways to help improve the cognitive capacity of individuals with different dementia types. This might also help a person to participate better in daily living activities.

2. Boosts self-esteem

Because reminiscence gives a person with dementia a greater sense of competence, it can also help to boost self-esteem. This is where a person becomes more confident through the use of a skill they still have.

3. Brings good feelings

As a person remembers things that once made them happy, it can help to instantly improve their moods as their minds flood with good feelings.

This is something wonderful, especially during those times that a person with dementia finds life to be complicated.

Gaining positive feelings can help to reduce agitation, decrease stress, boost mood, and minimize challenging behaviors like anger, wandering and lots more.

4. Allows affected individuals to share

In most cases, people with dementia are usually on the receiving end, where they listen to their caregivers and have things done for them.

RT allows them to be in the driver’s seat where they have a chance to talk and share meaningful things instead of just listening to other people as they converse.

5. Less strain on the caregiver

Because RT makes a person feel better about themselves, giving them higher self-worth, caregivers get a more manageable task of looking after individuals with dementia.

The therapy can enhance caregiver and family bonds as they learn new things about their loved ones’ past.

Structure of Reminiscence Therapy Sessions

structure of reminiscence therapy sessions
The structure of RT sessions is not set on stone as they normally vary. Some may be as simple as having a conversation with a caregiver while taking a walk.

Others are more complex and structured involving meetings with counselors and therapists. In regards to length, most of the sessions do not have specific time frames.

The frame of mind of the individuals with dementia usually dictates how long a session will be. This is to ensure they remain as comfortable as possible to enjoy the process rather than get stressed about the entire process.

Most people who meet with therapists for RT usually meet at least once every week.

If a person is dealing with a traumatic past, it is best that a licensed therapist directs the RT sessions so that they can professionally deal with any confusion or flashbacks that occur.

Research on RT is still going on to come up with ideal settings and best conditions for practicing it so that people with dementia can get more benefits from the therapy.

What Happens When RT Evokes Painful Memories

what happens when RT evokes painful memories
While RT seeks to help persons with dementia remember the happier times, painful memories may also crop up.

Do not stop the therapy when this happens. Instead, monitor how the individual behaves and respond with a lot of understanding and kindness.

After spending more time with the person with dementia, you can tell whether to offer support, a listening ear or gently steer them towards better memories where they will not in a distressed or sad state.

Closing Thoughts

As part of the treatment process, individuals with dementia should include reminiscence therapy.

This can help to improve communication skills, mood, cognition, and other areas that can lead to a better quality of life. Remember that the activity needs to be non-threatening and enjoyable.

Do not force conversations when participants do not want to talk and share. You can try leads such as do you remember which countries were against each other during the Korean War?

Aids or props can also assist in initiating the reminiscence process so that it flows well.

HIV-Associated Dementia – Symptoms and Causes

Rok Krivec Blog, Types , ,
HIV-associated dementia

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) affect many organs in the human body including the brain which may lead to the development of HIV-associated dementia.

This is also known as AIDS dementia, AIDS dementia complex, or HIV/AIDS encephalopathy.

It is one of the severe consequences of HIV infection.

HIV weakens the immune system of the person it affects which makes it harder for the body to fight diseases and infections.

What is HIV associated dementia?

Dementia caused by HIV can be described as chronic cognitive deterioration that is a result of brain infection by HIV.

It is a complex syndrome that consists of various mental and nervous system symptoms that affect persons with HIV. The HIV infection normally gets to the brain at the later stages of the disease.

While dementia tends to affect elderly persons, AIDS dementia tends to occur in younger persons.

HIV encephalopathy is an infection that spreads through the brain and is one of the primary causes of dementia in persons who have HIV.

Learn about the symptoms and causes of the AIDS dementia complex below.

Causes of HIV-Associated Dementia

causes of HIV associated dementia
When a person has HIV, the virus makes its way to the brain infecting the cells in the organ. This causes encephalopathy a disease that affects the functions of the brain.

The illness then leads to the development of dementia because of the neuronal damage that HIV causes.

The virus also damages the communication between nerve cells which results in impaired cognitive function and impaired communication in the brain.

AIDS dementia is more common in people who are not on anti-HIV drugs.

According to Webmd.com, HIV-associated dementia typically occurs when a person’s CD4+ falls to fewer than 200 cells/microliter. This typically occurs after years of positive HIV diagnosis.

There are several ways HIV can affect the brain.

One of them is through the viral proteins that may directly damage nerve cells or infect the inflammatory cells in the brain as well as the spinal cord.

The virus may then trigger the cells to disable and damage the nerve cells.

HIV usually leads to generalized inflammation which can be the cause of memory problems as well as other aging processes like heart diseases.

While AIDS dementia is not an opportunist infection, since HIV causes neurodegenerative disorder, the exact causes of this disorder can be hard to pinpoint.

This is because several other causes related to HIV can damage the nervous system including:

  • Opportunistic infections
  • Direct effects of the HIV infection on the brain
  • Malnutrition
  • AIDS-related metastasis/lymphoma or other related cancers
  • Drug treatments toxic effects

Symptoms of HIV-Associated Dementia

symptoms of HIV-associated dementia
Several symptoms are seen in persons with AIDS dementia. These can show up at different stages of the disease.

At the early stages some of the warning signs that may be prominent include:

  • Memory issues affecting both long and short-term memory
  • Encephalitis: this is a condition that makes the membranes of the spinal column and those of the brain swell
  • Reduced productivity at the workplace
  • Problems with spatial skills
  • Difficulties staying focused or concentrating
  • Inability to learn new skills
  • Cognitive impairment where a person experiences reduced ability to think clearly
  • Problems with speaking accurately or clearly
  • A gradual loss of motor skills
  • Apathy
  • Lack of enthusiasm in previously enjoyed hobbies and activities
  • Taking longer to complete familiar tasks
  • Irritability
  • Depression
  • Problems taking medicine correctly and following the proper medical advice
  • Decreased libido
  • Changes in personality and behavior
  • Difficulties managing finances
  • Trouble keeping balance or an unsteady gait
  • Difficulties with decision-making, organizing, and planning

The symptoms are different for people with AIDS dementia complex.
the symptoms aids dementia
Experts state that mental status tests, as well as other mental capabilities, are usually normal during the onset of the illness.

Warning signs

Because the symptoms tend to develop slowly, some warning signs may come out during the middle stages of HIV-associated dementia like:

  • Signs of motor dysfunction like muscle weakness
  • Reversing of words or numbers
  • Impaired driving
  • Frequently dropping objects and slower responses
  • Poor performance on daily tasks
  • Increased attention and concentration required
  • Coordination, balance, and walking requires more effort
  • Slowness in activities like writing or speaking
  • Feelings of indifference

aids dementia symptoms become worse

Worth noting is that dementia symptoms become worse as the infection in the brain becomes more widespread.

Some signs may show up during the later stages of AIDS dementia complex such as:

  • Spastic gait which makes walking more challenging
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Social withdrawal
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Confinement to bed
  • Seizures
  • Loss of initiative
  • Mania: extreme hyperactivity, restlessness, poor judgement, and rapid speech
  • Psychosis: this is a serious mental disorder where emotions and thoughts are impaired to an extent that a person loses touch with reality. These can also feature extreme agitation, inability to appropriately respond to the environment, delusions, and hallucinations

The above symptoms can make one confused where they are not able to make sense of the world around them.

At times, they can also result in a vegetative state where an individual is incapable of interacting and has minimal awareness of their surroundings.

Symptoms can be similar to other conditions

It is also important to note that some of the HIV-associated dementia symptoms resemble other medical problems and conditions.

These may include depression, other infections, or nutritional deficiencies. For these reasons, it is to best consult a professional health care provider for an accurate diagnosis.

Anyone who has HIV should visit an HIV specialist or GP if they start developing problems with their mood or thinking.

Medical experts acknowledge that people with AIDS dementia complex achieve the best results with early diagnosis and proper treatment.

Closing Thoughts

While some people who have HIV end up developing HIV-associated dementia, some do not.

It is advisable for persons who have been diagnosed with HIV to have their emotional and cognitive wellbeing assessed within three months of the diagnosis.

This should be re-assed after a year so that should any problems arise, they can be addressed as fast as possible.

There is on-going research to determine whether HIV causes dementia to develop faster in an individuals’ brain.

The findings will help determine how a person’s risk of dementia might increase if they have HIV.

Is Dementia Hereditary? Let’s Find Out Now

Rok Krivec Blog, Causes , , ,
is dementia hereditary

There is one question that is of concern for family members of an individual who has dementia: is dementia hereditary?

There are two answers to this query and, sadly, it is both a yes and a no.

The majority of dementias are not passed down by family.

There are, however, some rare cases where there may be a strong genetic link that could see children and grandchildren inherit the condition.

Nonetheless, this is only a small proportion of the overall dementia cases.

It is vital to note that genes are basic heredity units that pass on characteristics like height, hair color, or the tendency to develop a certain disease.

We find them in chromosomes and can contain mutations or changes which can be beneficial or harmful.

Does dementia run in families?

To date, researchers still do not have adequate details about the human genes that are associated with dementia.

While several genes may lead to different forms of dementia, mostly the illness does not develop because of changes to a specific gene.

Dementia genetics are quite complex, with several other factors weighing in.

This aside, let’s look at some of the reasons why most people do not inherit dementia.

Risk Factors

risk factors
One of the top risk factors for dementia is age.

The disease is common in seniors who are above the age of seventy, although some people experience it when they are younger.

You may be relieved to learn that having grandparents or parents with dementia at this age (70+) does not necessarily mean that you will also end up with the condition when you are older.

Your risk of getting the disease remains the same as the rest of the population.

On the flip side, studies show that if your loved one has dementia when they are younger, say less than sixty years, there is a higher chance that this type of illness passes on.

This goes to show that while genetics may be a risk factor, it is certainly not the only one.

Other risk factors that contribute to the development of dementia include:

Now check out some of the factors that could increase your chances of ending up with dementia because it is in your family line.

These support the yes part of the answer when you ask if dementia is hereditary.

Underlying Health Issues

underlying health issues
There are some scenarios where dementia will not be inherited. But, there are some health issues that, at times, crop up because of this condition.

These may include conditions like diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure, or stroke. Such illnesses can pass from one generation to the next.

Note that such diseases are also considered risk factors for illnesses such as dementia.

This simply means that when a person has one or more of the aforementioned diseases, they may also end up with dementia when they get older.

Specific Genes

specific genes
When looking at the cases of inherited dementia, you may notice that only 1% of the cases are passed on from parents.

Another aspect that may increase your chances of getting the disease simply because your parents also have dementia is the types of genes that your parents give you.

It is not the dementia gene but others that increase the risk of you getting the illness.

These types of genes that can give you dementia are typically the same ones that increase the risk of stroke, high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes.

It is one of the reasons it is essential to stay physically active and eat well. This can reduce the risk of developing certain types of dementia, such as vascular dementia.

Scientifically, two types of genes can affect whether a person ends up inheriting a disorder or disease. These are:

1. Risk Genes – These are the genes that you carry putting you at risk of developing a particular disease. You should also know that with the gene in your body, it does not mean you will end up with the illness.

2. Deterministic Genes – These are the genes that are responsible for causing the onset of disorders and diseases. They are quite rare and have been linked directly to the development of dementia in adults.

Genes are a broad topic for anyone who is interested in finding out the answers to is dementia hereditary.

Below is a summary of some of the genes that researchers claim are associated with the development of dementia in different stages:

1. Mutations in APP (A4 protein precursor), PSEN2 (presenilin2), and PSEN1 (presenilin1)

These genes are responsible for producing abnormal protein amounts that can trigger damage in the brain, which links to the onset of early dementia.

2. Variations in the ApoE4 gene

Also known as the apolipoprotein E, this offers instructions for protein production as well as aids in the transportation of cholesterol through the bloodstream.

About a quarter of the population that has one copy of the gene of a variation of ApoE has been known to have a higher risk of getting dementia.

Even though they do not directly cause the disease, they can contribute to some of the brain changes that result in cognitive decline.

Many people with ApoE4 also experience faster loss of nerve cell functioning.

This happens at the frontal lobe, which is crucial when it comes to maintaining mental functioning.

Studies also conclude that individuals who have the ApoE4 gene usually grow older at a faster rate. This acceleration can enhance the chances of dementia becoming worse over time.

There is also evidence that people who have two copies of ApoE4 have a much higher risk of developing dementia than the people who only have a single copy.

3.CDC2 gene

Cell division of the cycle 2 gene (CDC2) associates with the production of more tau protein This controls the deposit, gathering, and degradation of several proteins that relate to different types of dementia.

4. SORL1 gene

There is a high chance that the sortilin related receptor may play a role in the uncharacteristic production of beta-amyloid plaque in the brains of individuals who experience the late onset of dementia.

Rare Types of Dementia

rare types of dementia
There are some unusual types of dementia that parents can pass down to their young ones.

It mainly happens when a person develops the illness at an early age, like in their 50s or 60s.

In the majority of these cases, there is a high chance that a faulty gene was passed down to the children from their parents. This is also the case when an individual ends up developing dementia in their 30s or 40s.

Generally, while a high percentage of people will not pass dementia to their kids, they can pass faulty genes that will be the cause of the disease in younger individuals.

Examples of the rare dementia types that parents pass on to their offspring include Familial Prion Disease and Huntington’s disease.

Such disorders present a 50/50 chance of being inherited because they are brought about by a faulty “dormant” gene.

What this means is that if you get one faulty gene from one parent and another healthy one from the other parent, the faulty one is the one that the body will use.

This is because the body sees it as the “dominant” gene.

If your doctor suspects that family history has anything to do with your condition, he or she may recommend genetic testing.

Relatives at this point may also have to go through genetic testing.

When the results are out, genetic counseling is normally offered to all the persons who carry the illness-related changes.

Inheritance Pattern

inheritance pattern
If you are asking if dementia is hereditary, it helps to look into the inheritance pattern of the disease.

When people develop the illness at an early stage, that is before celebrating their 70th birthday, the link to an autosomal dominant pattern is not unusual.

This simply means that a single copy of an altered gene is enough to cause dementia. In most cases, the affected individual gets this gene from one of their parents.

It is still not clear what the inheritance pattern for late-onset dementia is. Persons who inherit just one copy of the ApoE4 allele are usually at higher risk of developing the condition.

The risk is even greater for the individuals who have two copies of the same.

Astonishingly, it is not everyone who has this gene that will end up with dementia. Similarly, not everyone who has dementia has the E4 allele.

Closing Remarks

As seen above, genetics do not play a major role when it comes to the development of dementia.

That said, there are specific forms that you can inherit from your parents.

However, these mostly have to do with developing the disease when you are younger. It is evident that there is no one answer to the query; is dementia hereditary?

Even though it may not be possible to control genes, there are other factors you can control to help reduce the risk.

It includes things such as eating a balanced diet, staying active, not smoking and managing other health conditions, like diabetes.

Dementia and Eyesight – How Vision Changes

Rok Krivec Blog, Signs ,
dementia and eyesight

When talking about how dementia affects a person’s life, it is important to touch on one crucial topic, which is dementia and eyesight.

In addition to causing multiple changes in the brain, dementia also affects how the brain processes information the eyes deliver as well as how the eyes see.

This implies that some behavioral changes in people with dementia may be as a result of vision changes.

Five common changes that happen to the eyes when a person has dementia explained below.

How Vision Changes With Dementia

1. The Field of Vision Becomes Narrow

the field of vision becomes narrow
One of the changes that occur when a person has dementia is the fact that the field of vision becomes narrow.

This is common with old age because, by the time a person is in their mid-70s, the normal vision peripheral reduces a little so that a person does not notice or see as much as they were able to when they were younger.

With dementia, the field of vision narrowing is not the same as what happens when a person becomes older.

The disease causes the field of vision to decrease by about 12 inches.

Experts compare this to a person who wears binoculars. It is not possible to move about normally when you are putting on binoculars.

2. Blurring

blurring
A person with dementia may not be able to see things as sharply as before because the illness causes them to experience blurring.

Because of this, everyday and familiar objects become more challenging to recognize.

3. The brain does not Effectively Process Information from the Eyes

brain does not effectively process information from the eyes
Worth noting when talking about dementia and eyesight is that someone with the illness may find it challenging to see the things that are in front of them.

This normally happens as the disease advances, and the brain starts shutting down information that comes from the eyes.

At some point, the brain finds the details from the eyes overwhelming; thus, it cannot begin processing the information.

When this happens and you have dementia, you may be forced to only see through one eye.

As a result, you will end up losing perception of depth where you can’t tell if something is two or three-dimensional.

This makes it difficult for an individual to know different things like whether they are looking at a picture of an apple of the real fruit, whether there is a print on a fabric, or whether there is an object on a surface.

4. Pupils React to Light Slowly

pupils react to light slowly
Persons with dementia and eyesight problems may also have slow reactions to light that makes it difficult for them to move from a light to a dark space and vice versa.

Going out when it is sunny can also be an overwhelming experience.

5. Changes That Don’t Make Sense to “Healthy People”

changes that don't make sense to healthy people
When it comes to the effects of dementia on eyesight, you may start seeing a person doing things that you consider strange.

For instance, a person may be trying to flip something in the air.

While this may not make sense to you, the person with the illness may be thinking that they are switching on the lights because the switch appears to be closer than it is.

Because the persons with dementia lack the perception of depth, they will respond to the world as they see it in the best way they know-how.

Causes of Vision Problems in People with Dementia

causes of vision problems in people with dementia
There are several reasons thousands of people with dementia will experience issues with vision, such as:

  • Development of eye conditions like macular degeneration and cataracts
  • Health conditions like stroke
  • Dementia itself
  • Normal aging of the eyes

The above causes damage to the visual system which can lead to sight loss.

Symptoms of Eyesight Issues for People with Dementia

symptoms of eyesight issues for people with dementia
People with dementia can exhibit certain symptoms that show they have problems with their eyesight. This is where they can have challenges with things like:

  • Reading
  • Avoiding obstacles
  • Recognizing familiar faces
  • Finding personal items
  • coping with bright lights, dim lights or both
  • Seeing well even when they have glasses
  • Locating food on plates

To confirm that the symptoms are a result of dementia, a person with the neurodegenerative illness needs to go through eye-tests.

Eye-specialists can adapt the eye tests for individuals with dementia if need be to get the proper results.

Coping with Dementia and Eyesight Problems

coping with dementia and eyesight problems
A person with eyesight issues because of dementia is likely to experience more problems with mobility, expansive disorientation, and increased risk of falls.

They may also have increased problems communicating, learning new tasks, lack of motivation, and the need for more social isolation.

Some of the tips caregivers can work with to make the people with dementia as comfortable and productive as possible include:

Taking care of the eyes

The suffering individuals and their carers need to make the most of the individual’s sight.

This means having regular eye rests and making sure that if a person wears glasses, they are correct, current, and clean at all times.

Making adjustments to the environment

This might need simple projects like improving the lighting, keeping areas clutter-free and familiar, as well as the use of contrasting colors. In short, making a dementia-friendly home.

You might also have to go the tech-way and use equipment like audio labels and automatic lights.

Enhancing communication techniques

This might include speaking clearly to a person who has dementia and eyesight issues.

You may have to introduce yourself when talking to the person, practice patience as they try to figure out what you are saying, and even using pictures and charts for ease of communication.

Extra help

When you are at a loss of how to help, there are numerous resources online as well as support groups where you can get ideas on how to move forward without harming the person with dementia.

Professionals like occupational therapists and visual rehabilitation workers can also offer help.

Closing Thoughts

A person may become more confused and fearful when suffering from dementia and eyesight problems.

Their behavior might also change because of the alterations happening in the brain.

It is important to accord people with illnesses as much support as possible so that they can live long quality lives.

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