We received many messages asking us why do patients with dementia walk so much. Thus we found it necessary to create this in-depth overview.
When looking after a person with dementia, you may notice that persons with the illness may start walking too much.
While walking may not necessarily be a bad thing for a person with the progressive disease, it may at times seem to get out of hand.
Keep in mind that persons with dementia may not have control of their desire to walk about. There are a VARIETY of reasons affected persons may walk too much and some of them we include below.
Why someone walks about?
Memory Loss
Dementia affects how the brain works and this may cause a person to experience short-termmemory loss.
This means that a person can start walking with a certain goal in mind, but then forget where they were going or even why.
As a result, they can continue walking long distances WITHOUT a destination in mind.
Walking too much does not always happen outside a person’s home. It can also happen in the compound or in the house.
For instance, the affected individual may set off to look for something they think is lost or stolen. They may want to walk for a long period as they search for that particular item.
Confusion about Time
Being confused about time is another reason people with dementia may resort to walking so much.
Some people with dementia may wake up in the middle of the night, get dressed and prepare to start the day thinking that it is daybreak.
Some individuals WILL START walking too much at night because they have difficulties sleeping.
Feeling Lost or Looking for a Person
It is possible that a person with the progressive illness will start walking too much when they are feeling lost or disoriented.
They may; therefore, want to start walking in a bid to identify something familiar. Furthermore, an individual might even start looking for a LONG-LOST friend or relative.
They may not know where to locate the person they are looking for; thus, end up walking about in hope of finding their loved one.
Restlessness, Anxiety, and Agitation
Various dementia symptoms can cause a person with the progressive illness to start walking around. The most common ones include anxiety, restlessness, and agitation.
These can be caused by the changes that happen in the brain.
Some of the symptoms can also be SIDE EFFECTS of medication that a person is taking.
A percentage of people with dementia also suffer from restless leg syndrome. This is a medical condition that gives individuals an irresistible and overwhelming urge to move their legs to stop unpleasant sensations.
The condition makes people want to get up and start walking which mostly happens at night. Feeling anxious can also make a person stand up and walk away because they WORRY about something that is probably out of their control.
Boredom
Boredom can also make people with dementia start walking. It usually happens when an individual can no longer do fun things they used to do.
This ends up robbing a person of their sense of purpose and SELF-WORTH to some extent. Walking too much may be a way of finding something fulfilling to do.
A person may also start walking about because they have too much unused energy. This is common for persons who engage in limited physical and mental activities.
Reliving Pain
In some cases, persons with dementia walk so much because they are trying to ease their pain or discomfort.
Many individuals resort to walking as a way of trying to escape from their pain. A person may also be responding to an uncomfortable environment that may be either too COLD or too HOT.
Some individuals with dementia may additionally find it challenging to stay in a place that has too much noise; hence, may start walking away in search of a quiet place.
Continuing an Interest or Habit
Most people with dementia will try as much as possible to relieve old routines after getting a diagnosis.
An example of this is walking.
The affected person may want to be out and about at the same time of the day. For instance, if the individual used to WALK their dog in the evening, they may want to get out of the house at that time.
A person may also want to remain independent especially when they reach a stage where they need assistance with various daily living activities.
Stepping away from their caregivers can give a person a sense of independence.
Closing Remarks
There are several reasons people with dementia will walk so much.
It is important for caregivers to identify what triggers the behavior and come up with EFFECTIVE WAYS to deal with it in a way that will not harm/hurt the person with the illness.
At times, it may be best to let the individual take a walk as long as they are in a safe environment.
This might mean that the individual with the illness may have to be accompanied by a friend or relative.
We recently found a study conducted by Monash University that found a connection between sleep apnea and dementia.
Thus, we wanted to look further into it.
To present you with a BETTER understanding of how the two conditions can affect each other.
Does Sleep Apnea Contribute To Dementia?
Led by the Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health’s Dr. Melinda Jackson, the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published the study about the correlation between sleep apnea and dementia.
The findings showed that severe OSA causes an increase in beta-amyloid, which is a protein that accumulates on the walls of the brain’s arteries.
34 individuals, who had recently been diagnosed with OSA, participated in the study.
12 of them were asymptomatic, meaning that they didn’t display ANY SIGNS that they were suffering from a sleep disorder.
The study used PET brain scans and measurements of mood, sleep, and demographics to explore the associations the brain’s amyloid had on an individual’s health.
The group with OSA recorded higher amyloid burdens and poorer sleep patterns.
Dr. Jackson explained that the discovery would help further research into treatment options for OSA aimed at reducing the risk of dementia.
Yet another study published in 2011 in The Journal of the American Medical Association showed that the link between sleep apnea and dementia is even greater in older women.
298 women, who were an average of 82 years old, had tests done to assess their cognitive function.
The overnight sleep tests monitored aspects like their heart rate, brain activity, respiration, and blood oxygen levels.
The women went through further cognitive tests five years later, and out of the lot, 105 were established to have sleep apnea.
Out of the group with the disorder, 45% suffered from dementia or mild cognitive impairments.
The LACK of steady oxygen flow to the brain stemming from sleep apnea was determined as the precursor to dementia.
Treating Sleep Apnea and Dementia
It is possible to avoid having sleep apnea and dementia problems, by treating the sleep disorder in the first place.
Treatment is prescribed to address the underlying health problems that cause the condition in different individuals.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a therapy commonly used to treat sleep apnea.
It involves wearing a mask and keeping the airway open during sleep by gently delivering a constant stream of pressurized air.
It is not a viable choice for everyone because some people find it DIFFICULT to use the mask, and therefore, they explore alternative options.
Surgery to remove enlarged tonsils, or shrink or remove excess tissue is another viable option.
Lifestyle changes are highly recommended before exploring any other options.
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Final Thoughts on Sleep Apnea and Dementia
Several studies have proven that there is a potential link between sleep apnea and dementia.
A combination of mechanisms brought about by the disorder can lead to dementia and other cognitive impairments.
However, it is possible to halt the process of developing dementia as a result of OSA by treating sleep apnea as soon as it is diagnosed.
Bonus: What Is Sleep Apnea?
Most people who suffer from the condition have a form that is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which manifests when a physical blockage obstructs the upper airway.
In fact, estimates have it that about 1 billion people globally suffer from OSA.
Central sleep apnea (CSA) is equally as common, and it signals an underlying issue with the nervous system.
Some people experience mixed sleep apnea which is a combination of OSA and CSA.
A person momentarily stops breathing, for about 10 seconds or more, when the signal instructing the process is held up or if their airway closes.
When the breathing restores, they might take a deep breath, snort, or get roused from their sleep feeling like choking, gasping, or being smothered.
If untreated, sleep apnea can become a gateway to other complications including depression or even heart disease.
It also increases the risk of accidents because a person who suffers from the disorder often feels drowsy during the day leaving them prone to making risky mistakes while working or driving.
What Causes Sleep Apnea?
Several factors contribute to the risk factor of developing sleep apnea in adults including:
Waking up from sleep severally to go to the bathroom
However, the only way to conclusively diagnose the condition is through a physical examination.
A physician will access an individual’s complete medical history to figure out whether they have struggled with symptoms like snoring or daytime sleepiness for a considerable period.
The doctor also EXAMINES the person’s neck and head looking for the presence of any physical factors associated with the condition.
The process often involves filling a questionnaire to establish a person’s sleep patterns, the quality of sleep they get, and if they struggle with daytime drowsiness.
Tests like polysomnograms, EEG, Pulse Oximetry, EKG, and Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) may also be used to diagnose sleep apnea.
We found it time and time again the importance of understanding the difference between dementia and amnesia.
This is one of the reasons it is important to discuss the differences between the two.
There are SEVERAL areas in which amnesia and dementia differ, and we will discuss them in-depth in this article.
What is the difference between dementia and amnesia?
Definition
Dementia can be described as a progressive disorder that affects various domains like attention, language, memory, judgment/ executive function, perception motor i.e. visual construction and visual perception and social cognition.
This normally influences an individual’s day-to-day activities because it affects the capability to perform basic motor functions.
Dementia also showcases personality distortions.
We can describe amnesia, on the other hand, as the inability to recall old memories or form new ones.
It is among the most common symptoms of dementia and is also known as an amnestic syndrome. People who have amnesia retain their motor skills.
Causes
Although some common causes can lead to both amnesia and dementia, others remain distinct.
Experts state that dementia is brought about by the loss or damage to nerve cells and their connections in the brain.
Many resources also include age as one of the causes of dementia.
Diversely, there is a wide range of conditions that can result in amnesia.
In dementia cases, when a person experiencesmemory loss, it does not affect a person’s general knowledge, intelligence, judgment, attention span, identity or personality.
In most cases, individuals with amnesia can UNDERSTAND both spoken and written words.
They can also learn new skills, like playing the piano or riding a bike. Many of them also know that they have a memory disorder.
The symptoms of dementia are quite different from those of amnesia.
Persons with dementia may have issues with solving problems or planning.
Many are confused about the place or time and have challenges completing tasks they frequently do like getting to a familiar location, making coffee, or changing the settings on the TV.
Most also have issues with writing or speaking, and they have a hard time grasping visual information as the disease progresses.
It is also common for persons with dementia to experience changes in personality and mood as well as withdrawing from their social circles.
Types
We also see the differences between dementia and amnesia in the different types of these conditions.
There are about nine different types of dementia. These are
This is the inability to recollect details that a person acquired before a specific date, usually the date of operation or accident.
Anterograde amnesia
It is the inability to relocate new details to the long-term store from the short-term memory store. People with this type of amnesia cannot recall things for long periods.
The two types of amnesia are not mutually exclusive because they can both occur at the same time.
Treatment
When looking at the differences between dementia and amnesia, it is worth talking about treatment.
Sadly to date, there is still no cure for dementia.
The disease is typically progressive, disabling, and fatal.
With amnesia, most forms usually fix themselves without the need for treatment. However, if there is a need for treatment, doctors may recommend different options such as:
1. Treatment of psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, etc.
2. Cognitive therapy using expert language or speech therapists especially for persons who have mild to moderate loss of memory.
3. Treating the underlying medical conditions that result in amnesia. These are conditions like kidney and liver diseases, low thyroid functions, head injuries, stroke, bleeding and blood clots in the brain amongst others.
Rates
When differentiating dementia and amnesia, statistics indicate that dementia is MORE prevalent than amnesia.
Across the globe, there are more than 50 million individuals who have dementia. There are up to 10 million new cases that crop up every year, according to the World Health Organization.
Even though amnesia has been prominently featured in movies, it does not affect as many people in real life.
A study on transient global amnesia records that amnesia usually affects people between the ages of 40-80 years and it has an incidence of 5 per 100,000 population every year.
Dementia and Amnesia Closing Remarks
Several points come up when differentiating dementia and amnesia, as highlighted above.
Summing up, amnesia is memory loss, while dementia is a global loss of higher brain functions.
Over the course of our studies, we discovered different types of dementia, including rapidly progressive dementia (RPD).
This is a form of dementia where deterioration from onset happens at a SPEEDY rate when you compare it to other dementias.
Experts, most of the time, predict two years as the time frame for the development of the illness. However, in most cases, RPD usually develops sub-acutely in a few weeks or months.
Various factors can lead to the development of RPD like:
RPD is rare and challenging to diagnose. Nonetheless, accurate and early diagnosis is essential because a majority of the causes of the illness are treatable.
If you suspect that a person has the illness, it is advisable to see a doctor who specializes in these medical conditions.
The professional then makes a proper diagnosis.
The practitioner might ask some questions concerning the medical history of the person suspected to have the illness, the progression of symptoms, recent possible exposures i.e. from toxins, infections, chemicals, or travel as well as any similar diseases present in biological relatives.
Thorough documentation of all medications, both prescribed and non-prescribed, is also imperative.
The medics also perform CAREFUL physical examinations. These help spot any physical issues as well as evaluate the current mental function level.
These examinations determine whether there are other neurologic features present and whether there are any organs in the body that are affected by the illness.
To confirm whether a person has rapidly progressive dementia or not, doctors normally combine different types of diagnosis methods to come up with conclusive results. These include:
Rapidly Progressive Dementia Tests
Laboratory Tests
Ancillary testing is crucial mainly because many RPDs have similar clinical features.
Doctors may request various laboratory tests that may include:
Brain imaging like electroencephalogram which measures electrical activity in the brain from the scalp, MRI or CT.
Cerebrospinal fluid tests which involves looking at the clear fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and the brain.
The results that the doctor will gather from the tests can HELP to determine the cause of the disease.
Lumbar Punctures
A lumbar puncture or CSF can also be performed on a person to determine if they have rapidly progressive dementia.
It is usually beneficial for persons who have neoplastic, infectious, or autoimmune disorders.
EEG
Some doctors also find that it is necessary to conduct EEG in a bid to rule out seizures as one of the causes of RPD.
Brain Biopsy
In a few cases, a brain biopsy is necessary.
RPD Treatment Options
Regarding rapidly progressive dementia, it is important to mention that treatment for most cases of RPD is palliative.
The illness is perpetually fatal, and experts give it a median survival rate of 6-11 months even though some people can live for three years upwards.
On the other hand, some types of RPD are reversible if doctors can efficiently treat the cause of the disease.
For instance, if the illness is a result of hormonal imbalance or cancer, treatment CAN TARGET these specific conditions in a bid to help treat RPD.
Some treatment options that may help curb treatable RPD include:
Paraneoplastic and Autoimmune Encephalopathies
If medical practitioners suspect autoimmune encephalopathy, they will recommend a trial of immunotherapy for the ill person, which will help to treat RPD in responsive persons.
Immunotherapy, however, does not work when the person with dementia has infections that will become worse after immunosuppression.
Physicians also avoid steroids when lymphoma is differential because it can DELAY EFFICIENT treatment. Worth noting is that steroid trials work as diagnostic tests as well as treatment options.
This implies that doctors need to administer a high dosage for a clear clinical response.
The doctor will determine the number of steroids to give out because currently, there is no documentation on the minimum steroid dose that is sufficient to treat dementias that are immune-mediated.
Persons who cannot tolerate steroids will often go through PLEX (plasma exchange) or a course of IVIg.
Toxic Metabolic
To treat toxic-metabolic etiologies, doctors will first find out the specific disorder that they need to tackle.
Thiamine deficiency is one of the disorders that has proven to be more affordable and easier to treat empirically rather than going in to rest the thiamine levels.
Specialists use A COMBINATION of glucose and thiamine to treat a person who has Wernicke encephalopathy to help with treatment.
Taking Care of Infectious RPD
When it comes to treating infectious rapidly progressive dementia, infectious disease specialists should first detect the type of infection that the person had before recommending the appropriate treatment.
For example, antivirals are normally suggested to individuals who have viral encephalitis. Medics also screen persons with RPD to look for infections like Lyme disease, syphilis, and HIV.
When diagnosed EARLY enough, such infections are treatable.
This is one of the reasons why it is essential to consult the specialists soon enough so that they have adequate time to identify and treat the infection before it is too late.
Maintenance Therapy
Studies indicate that persons who have positive responses to immunotherapy trials often require long-term treatment because relapse rates are usually high.
Individuals with RPD must, therefore, also go through maintenance therapy to maintain remission. Most people will go through suitable osteoporosis and screening for latent tuberculosis as part of this process.
Clinicians will, however, advise on the best approach for maintenance therapy depending on an individual’s progress regarding treatment.
Antiviral Medications
These are medications that come in handy, especially in cases where prion diseases cause RPD.
The medicines, when administered in the right way, help to significantly improve clinical status where persons with the illness record a relapse of symptoms.
Depending on the individual, a doctor can also prescribe anticonvulsants to help deal with seizures.
Doctors may also prescribe other forms of medications that will offer relief to the persons with RPD, depending on why they got the illness in the first place.
In instances where the individual does not have the option to take medicine, the TREATMENT approach mainly FOCUSES on improving the quality of life and making sure that a person is as comfortable as possible.
Some of the options available when it comes to this include:
In-Home Care
Because many people who have rapidly progressive dementia do not have many years to live, it is advisable to think of collaborating with an in-home care agency.
These are companies that have the experience and the expertise needed to care for a person who has medical conditions like RPD.
It works well for families that want their loved ones to stay at home while receiving expert care round the clock.
Staying in a familiar environment is beneficial as it helps to offer persons with RPD peace of mind and security.
This also allows NON-PROFESSIONAL caregivers (friends and relatives) to go on about their business so that they can spend time with their unwell relatives when they are free without feeling too overwhelmed.
In-home care professionals may offer services like assistance with dressing, walking, grooming, bathing, as well as medication reminders, appointment transportation, light housekeeping, meal preparations, errands, and shopping, amongst others.
Take time before working with any in-home agency to ensure you settle on the RIGHT FIT for the affected individual.
Above all, ensure that the person who will be spending time with the person with RPD has proper qualifications and preferably has experience working with persons who have this type of dementia.
When in-home care does not give the results a family is looking for, it is probably best to look for an appropriate care facility that will be in tune with the needs of the ill individual until they take their last breath.
Working with Routines
It may also help to develop routines that the person will follow. Many individuals with RPD find comfort in routines. This is because, when crafted well, they help to reduce anxiety and confusion.
For instance, an individual can wake up at six am have breakfast at seven am shower an hour later, rest, eat lunch at one, participate in an activity at three, go for an evening walk or exercise at five and retire to bed at eight pm.
Remember that when coming up with routines, it helps to consider the needs of the suffering person so that their day is full of activities they enjoy and love.
The routine should also not be cast in stone. It should be adjusted along the way to ensure the person with dementia has productive and comforting days.
Conclusion
Rapidly developing dementia, unlike other forms of dementia, usually develops at a fast rate.
While some cases of RPD are treatable after early diagnosis, others are irreversible, depending on the cause. If a loved one ever gets RPD, it is best to consult a doctor as soon as possible.
It is important to know the next steps to take to ensure a person receives the right treatment. Not to mention, lives comfortably until the illness runs its course.
We reviewed numerous studies that suggest a possible link between sugar and dementia.
This is after researchers confirmed that consuming TOO much sugar in any form puts a person at a higher risk of getting dementia.
One longitudinal study exposed the fact that persons with high levels of blood sugar experience faster cognitive decline rates than the ones with normal blood sugar levels.
Another study by Melissa Schilling reveals that elevated insulin plays a huge role in the development of dementia.
Seeing that too much sugar is one of the RISK factors of dementia, which still has no cure, to date, it is important to keenly study the relationship between the two to find out how both factors reconcile.
Below you will uncover some of the ways that consuming too much sugar can increase the risk of developing dementia EVEN at a young age.
Poor Insulin Control
When your body always has to deal with insulin resistance, it means that you will be at a higher risk of developing dementia.
Note that when you eat different types of food, including sugar, starches, and carbohydrates, the body breaks them down into glucose.
When the digestion process takes place, the small intestines and the stomach absorb all the glucose and then sends it into your bloodstream.
Insulin, which is a hormone that the pancreas produces, transports the sugar/glucose in the bloodstream to the cells in your muscles and other organs.
Your body will produce MORE insulin when the levels of blood sugar are too high. This implies that insulin will, essentially, try to give the cells more sugar.
When this happens, the cells are bound to try and protect themselves from insulin’s powerful effect, thus creating insulin resistance.
The pancreas then responds to this resistance by giving the body even more insulin. This creates a vicious cycle where insulin resistance results in higher blood sugar levels.
Where there is an insulin spike, too much glucose will find its way to the brain through the bloodstream. This will eventually DESTROY the cells in the brain, a move that can lead to the development of dementia.
An Overdose of Glucose in Brain Cells
The brain needs glucose as a source of energy.
However, when there is too much sugar in the brain, the cells in this organ can easily absorb the glucose.
It is worth noting that brain cells, unlike other cells in the body, do not require insulin to absorb glucose. This means that the cells in the brain will DIRECTLY absorb the glucose from the bloodstream because sugar usually crosses the barrier in the brain fast.
When too much sugar is flowing in the brain, it will NOT PRODUCE useful mental energy. This is because the brain can only convert sugar into energy with the help of insulin.
After a long period of consuming simple carbohydrates and sugar, the brain will have an overflow of sugar that is not beneficial in any way.
In fact, when talking about sugar and dementia, it is safe to say that a high insulin load will prevent the brain from using glucose as a source of energy because it will have excess levels.
When the brain cells do not get the energy they need from glucose, they eventually die off one of the events that lead to the onset of dementia.
The sad fact is that brain cells get too much sugar but CANNOT make good use of it.
Too Much Sugar Clogs the Brain and Causes Inflammation
Another front that shows evidence of the link between sugar and dementia is the fact that obese individuals have a doubled risk of developing dementia.
Most people will become overweight because of a poor diet that mostly consists of too much sugar.
As a result, this causes clumps in the brain that affect how it functions. To better understand this concept, it is essential to know that obese persons typically have TOO MANY amyloid proteins in the brain.
These proteins are toxic to the brain because they stick together and start forming clumps. These clumps are usually present in the brains of people who have different forms of dementia.
In the medical world, there is still a huge debate as to whether the clumps that amyloid proteins form are responsible for dementia even though they are generally present in persons who already have dementia.
Experts also believe that HIGH sugar amounts in the body can cause inflammation.
Inflammation has been LINKED to dementia, diabetes, heart diseases, and cancer. Inflammation inside the body is akin to a swollen red, infection on the skin that is full of puss.
When there is inflammation in the brain or other parts of the body, the body has to get into a position where it is always fighting infections.
When this happens, it will lead to cognition breaking down because the brain, as well as the blood vessels, are irritated and swollen.
Eating Sugar Leads to Addiction
Experts have established that excess sugar in the brain can impair both cognitive skills as well as self-control. Many people experience cravings after consuming a little sugar.
Sugar is known to have a drug-like effect on the brain’s reward center. Scientists propose that sweet, salty, and fatty foods can produce addiction effects in the brain.
This results in overeating, loss of self-control, and CONSEQUENTLY weight gain.
This drive, on the other hand, can lead to excess amounts of sugar in the brain, which is a dementia risk factor.
Too much sugar in the brain is harmful as it can result in deficits in attention, memory, and slow cognitive function.
Too much Sugar Leads to Strokes
Another possible variable when discussing sugar and dementia is the fact that too much glucose in the blood vessels can lead to stroke.
This is because a spike in blood sugar can cause the vessels to become weak. Meaning, they will not function as they should leading to strokes, which can make a person get various dementia forms.
In such a case, the brain cells will die because they lack oxygen.
How to Reduce Adverse Effects of Sugar and Dementia
It is almost IMPOSSIBLE to cut off sugar in your diet, seeing that most fruits are loaded with sugar. This, however, does not mean that you should not try and limit the amount of sugar that goes into your system.
There are several steps you can take to prevent getting dementia because of too much sugar like:
Balancing blood sugar
This has everything to do with the things that you put into your mouth.
Avoid those high-fat and sugar diets because they will only lead you into trouble. Take off the unhealthy stuff that includes alcohol, refined carbs, caffeine, dairy, processed foods, etc.
Instead, your diet should constitute healthy alternatives like leafy green vegetables, nuts, good fats, and grass-fed meats, among many others.
These foods are not only great for your waistline, but they will also make the brain very happy.
If you are NOT TOO sure about the foods to be eating, it is best to work with a dietician who will give you proper guidance.
Remember that sugars present in soft drinks and sweets can lead to a spike in blood sugar levels. The ones from complex carbs are absorbed in a slower rate.
Exercising
Another way to tame blood sugar is to get physically active. This helps to reduce blood sugar levels and weight if need be.
If you have not been working out for long, try and schedule at least 150 minutes of exercise every week.
You DO NOT have to go into a gym or start working with an expensive professional trainer.
Brisk walking for a few minutes every day can do the trick. Take short but frequent breaks as you walk. This can be as short as forty seconds or one minute.
This can help to lower blood sugar effectively.
Some experts also advise taking a walk after meals. Exercising can also mean taking the stairs more than using the lift, parking a little further from your destination, and moving around if you sit around for hours.
When you are more active, your muscles will increase their glucose intake, which will prevent instances of insulin resistance.
Get enough rest and avoid stress
Giving the body enough rest is crucial if you want to protect the health of your brain. This includes getting quality sleep and listening to your body when it needs to rest.
Additionally, it is also important to avoid stress triggers because they are not good for your health.
Do things that you love and enjoy and talk to a trustworthy person if you feel like things are getting out of hand to keep stress at bay.
Sugar and Dementia Conclusion
It is now evident that there is a connection between sugar and dementia.
Experts agree that faster cognitive decline happens when there are high sugar levels in the blood, whether the sugar levels make a person diabetic or not.
It is one of the reasons why you should control sugar consumption while ADOPTING a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of dementia and other diseases.
We reviewed and studied the possible connection between depression and Alzheimer’s disease with out team of experts.
Almost HALF of the population with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) will experience depression symptoms at some point.
Depression is a condition that causes people to feel irritable, sad, or hopeless most of the time. This can occur during any stage of the disease and most of the time, it makes symptoms of AD more severe.
For instance, depression can make an ill person experience more confusion, anxiety, and forgetfulness.
Experts agree that depression plays a significant role in disease progression, disability, and caregiver burden.
Some people will showcase depressive signs during the early stage, while others will have these in the middle or later stages of Alzheimer’s.
In some cases, depression may COME AND GO while in others, it stays for long periods.
Below we look at more in-depth details of depression and Alzheimer’s, including possible causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Causes of Depression in Persons with Alzheimer’s
It is not easy to pinpoint the exact cause of depression in a person who has AD.
However, there are a few factors that might lead to depression like:
After hearing the diagnosis, a person may fall into depression during the early stages of the illness.
Losing independence as the illness progresses can also be the cause of depression.
Loss of interest in hobbies and other activities a person previously enjoyed
Impaired thinking
Trouble concentrating
Feelings of low self-esteem
Pains and aches that seem to have no physical cause
Worth noting is that cognitive impairment that people with Alzheimer’s experience typically makes it CHALLENGING for them to articulate guilt, sadness, hopelessness, and other feelings that come with depression.
Other signs that are common with depression include:
Medical professionals must conduct a thorough evaluation, particularly because there are medical conditions and side effects of medicines that can produce comparable symptoms.
It is essential to diagnose depression in persons with AD because it can respond positively to treatment.
Evaluation for depression usually includes:
1. Mental and physical examinations
2. Review of a person’s medical history
3. Interviews with relatives who know the individual well
It may be helpful to consult a geriatric psychiatrist to handle the evaluation because of the complexities that are involved in the entire process.
The professionals specialize in identifying and also treating depression in older adults.
Treatment Options for Depression in Alzheimer’s
When it comes to treating depression and Alzheimer’s, the timing of the condition will determine the most appropriate treatment option.
There are two main approaches for treating depression, and these are using medications, therapies, and non-drug approaches.
These can include drugs like SSRIs (serotonin reuptake inhibitors) and others that can help to ease sadness and lift moods.
Some people with Alzheimer’s may also be put on mood-stabilizing medicine or specific antipsychotic drugs to help treat depression.
A person must be cautious when taking these medications because some may not be helpful for somebody with Alzheimer’s.
This is particularly in cases of mild depression.
Another reason is that chemicals in the brain that cause depression are usually different for persons with Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, the cause of distress for some people may be something that medicine can’t fix, such as social withdrawal.
Depression mediation might also cause problems like dizziness, falls, and confusion amongst other side effects. It is usually advisable to try other treatment options before taking the medicine route.
Because every person with AD is unique, they might need to try different drugs under a doctor’s instructions to identify the ones that will work and present fewer side effects.
At times, one person may need to consult several doctors before determining what works for them.
Therapies
A person with depression and Alzheimer’s can try different therapies to try and get rid of depression. This mostly works for individuals with moderate depression.
Examples of helpful therapies include:
Psychotherapy
This is where an individual works closely with a professional psychiatrist or psychologist to come up with an effective solution to the depression problem.
These are professionals who specialize in treating mental health.
Talking therapy
These are therapies that encourage suffering people to talk about how they feel.
Professionals base this on the model of how the human mind works. Psychotherapists, counselors, and other experts can conduct the sessions so that that participant can get the desired results.
Studies show that after several sessions of talking therapy, depression reduces in persons who have Alzheimer’s.
Various forms of talking therapies exist, including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), interpersonal therapy, and counseling as well.
Some medics may also recommend transcranial magnetic stimulation or electroconvulsive therapy as part of treatment. These are brain stimulation techniques that can help a person with AD.
A GP can also suggest other therapies that they feel will be helpful to the individual with AD.
These therapies typically need to be modified to suit a person’s level of memory, understanding, and communication.
It is usually best to work with therapists who have experience working with persons who have dementia.
Non-Drug Approach
There are several options that people with Alzheimer’s and depression can try if not on medication to treat depression such as:
1. Exercise
Getting physically active can also help reduce depression symptoms significantly. This also helps a person to stay fit which ultimately improves their health.
Make sure that the individual only takes part in ENJOYABLE physical activities depending on their ability so that working out does not stress them out.
If a person has more energy in the morning, program exercise activities at this time.
2. Counseling and support groups
Professional counseling and being part of helpful support groups can also help to take care of depression in people with AD.
This is usually helpful for mild depression that lifts by itself after some time.
3. Being around other people
It is important for people with depression and Alzheimer’s not to spend all their time alone because they will sink further into depression.
Participating in enjoyable group activities with loved ones or even other people in similar conditions can decrease depression symptoms.
It helps to schedule predictable routines that take advantage of a person’s best time of the day to undertake activities they may find challenging like taking a bath.
5. Interaction
One-on-one interactions with other people may also help. This includes hand-holding, conversations, and gentle massage when appropriate.
6. Living environment modifications
Modifications to the affected person’s living environment are also advisable. This is where changes like reducing loud noises and bright lights can help create more comfortable and soothing living spaces.
Some people may not be comfortable in areas that have too many people.
7. Familiar places and activities
Coming up with a list of places, activities, and people that the ill individual enjoys and scheduling them more frequently can also help treat dementia.
8. Positive vibes
Caregivers and other people around the person with depression need to emit positive vibes at all times. Remember to celebrate small occasions and successes as this helps everyone to feel better; thus, fight depression.
Nurture the affected person with inspirational or soothing activities or their favorite foods.
Caregivers also need to reassure the person, letting them know that they appreciate, love, and respect them as a valuable member of the family or society.
Depressed persons also need to know that they will not be abandoned. Furthermore, people should also have realistic expectations when dealing with individuals with the illness.
Expecting too much can upset all parties.
Caregivers need to look after themselves, too
Caregivers of persons with depression and Alzheimer’s should also remember to take care of themselves.
Looking after persons with AD is usually not easy.
If caregivers do not indulge in self-care, they risk experiencing too many frustrations and other negative feelings to a point where they will not be in the right frame of mind to care for the individual.
Taking adequate breaks and seeking help when feeling overwhelmed are some of the steps caregivers can take so that they do not become worn out.
Depression and Alzheimer’s Closing Remarks
It is common for people with Alzheimer’s to experience depression often. This is not something to ignore and wish away.
Proper diagnosis needs to be carried out so that the treatment of depression and Alzheimer’s can start as soon as possible.
Early treatment often leads to a better quality of life for persons with AD, and it also makes life more enjoyable and easier for caregivers and other people around the person with Alzheimer’s.
One of the therapies that are gaining momentum for helping persons with dementia is horse therapy.
What is horse therapy? What does it involve? Does the therapy offer healing?
Read on to uncover answers to these questions and more.
Benefits of Horse Therapy for Dementia
Persons with dementia can get various benefits from horse therapy and some of them may include:
Stress Relief and Relaxation
Many people with dementia find it challenging to relax and let go of daily stressors. Taking care of or riding a horse requires concentration.
When a person is concentrating on the activity at hand, they will probably not be thinking of other factors that may be causing anxiety and stress.
Participants may NOT EVEN realize that they are letting go of their worries. When the session is over, a person may feel better and enjoy more clarity.
Improved Physical Health
When an individual participates in horseback riding, they will use muscles that they may not use in other contexts strengthening the muscles.
The activity also helps to build skills like balance, strength, and dexterity all of which are crucial for riding a horse. It can also be helpful for spine strength and mobility.
Horse riding is also rewarding when it comes to burning calories. Being an outdoor activity, the therapy offers fresh air and sunshine which are great for physical strength.
As a person starts to experience the physical benefits, it can also help them start to feel betteremotionally and mentally.
Boosts Independence
While professionals in horse care often accompany participants undergoing horse therapy for dementia, this activity can help boost a person’s independence and self-esteem.
A single person can groom, feed, and ride a horse when they are comfortable with the task.
This gives individuals time alone with the horse and their thoughts perfect for persons looking for a quiet activity.
Completing tasks related to horse therapy also gives people a feeling of self-sufficiency and independence. Interacting with the horses also helps a person to feel needed.
Caring for a living being is a good way of making a person feel like they are CONTRIBUTING something worthwhile to the world.
Learning Something New
While it may be strange for a person with dementia to learn a new skill, it is important to take any chance that may help create connections in the brain.
People DO NOT NEED to have any experience on a farm or with horses to benefit from the therapy.
The hands-on learning exercises horse therapy offer helps to stimulate the brain more than watching a game show or working on a crossword puzzle.
What Makes Horses Ideal Candidates for this Dementia Therapy
Paula Hertel co-founder of Connected Horse a human and animal interaction program explains that something special happens when people visit a horse barn.
They become more aware of the new smells, sounds, and horses as the animals welcome them to their space.
Horses have certain characteristics that make them IDEAL for this type of therapy and some of them include:
The animals are not biased by the individual’s past mistakes, abilities, or physical appearance, amongst others.
Horses will also NOT complain when a person asks the same question over and over.
This is an aspect that is critical to therapy because it helps increase self-confidence and self-esteem.
Mirroring and Feedback
Horses are keen observers thanks to their nature as herd or prey animals which makes them sensitive and hyper-vigilant.
It implies that their feedback is offered more consistently and earlier than when it comes from human therapists.
Horses also have an innate tendency to MIRROR a person’s physical movements, behavior, and emotions which helps participants become more aware of themselves.
An equine specialist can translate this type of feedback and the group can also analyze it.
Healing Power of Horses for Persons with Dementia (Studies)
There are a few studies that have been conducted on the perks of horse therapy for dementia and the most notable ones include:
Connected Horse and Stanford University
A pilot study was conducted by Connected Horse and Stanford University. This sought to help persons learn how to manage early-stage dementia through a series of workshops.
The professionals recruited persons living with mild cognitive impairment or dementia and their caregivers.
The participants joined a workshop that included activities like leading and grooming horses, awareness practices, and discussion groups.
Researchers carried out standardized tests before and after the workshops in a bid to measure the effects of the workshop on participants’ quality of sleep, stress levels, and ability to communicate and relate to others.
Initial results of the study revealed that participants scored HIGHER for better sleep quality, social support, and decreased depression and anxiety.
The results of the study will be used to come up with more resources to develop training materials, secure more equisetin sites, and get funding for developing new programs.
Ohio State University
Multiple departments at the Ohio State University collaborated to conduct a study on the therapeutic effects of spending time with horses on adults who have Alzheimer’s dementia.
The University collaborated with an adult daycare center and an equine therapy center.
They found that persons with Alzheimer’s the most common cause of dementia were able to feed, groom, and walk horses safely under supervision.
At the daycare center, A national Church Residences Centre for Senior Health in Columbus recruited 16 residents who had Alzheimer’s (7 men and 9 women).
Eight of the clients once a week took a bus trip to a farm where they visited with horses under the supervision of their caretakers.
The residents bathed and groomed the horses, fed them grass and walked them.
The researchers reported that the persons with dementia enjoyed their time on the farm because they talked to the horses, laughed, and smiled more.
This was seen even in the persons who usually acted withdrawn as they became fully engaged in the exercise. The therapy also BOOSTED physical activity.
Even though the clients had physical limitations, they were inspired to push boundaries once presented with the horses. The clients grew more physically active after visiting the farm.
The small study is from the journal Anthrozoos.
Horse Therapy for Dementia Closing Thoughts
While more research is still necessary regarding horse therapy for dementia, current results are promising.
This makes the therapy something worth looking into for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
Bonus: What is Horse Therapy?
Horse therapy also known as Equine therapy or Equine-assisted therapy is a treatment option that includes an equine environment and/or equine activities to promote physical, emotional, and occupational growth in people suffering from various medical issues.
These medical problems include a host of mental health issues. Like anxiety, ADD, autism, dementia, cerebral palsy, depression, traumatic brain injuries, genetic syndromes, behavioral issues.
Equine-assisted therapy is IN USE in mental and medical health fields by major countries.
This type of therapy can help individuals build communication, self-efficiency, confidence, trust, social skills, impulse control, perspective, and learn boundaries, etc.
The Anxiety Treatment Centre reckons that it is easy for ill persons to create a connection with horses because the domestic animals have similar behaviors with humans like responsive and social behaviors.
Horses can also mirror the feelings of a rider or handler. The large and intimidating appearance of a horse forces people to gain trust around them.
Horse Therapy Activities
There are different activities involved in horse therapy for dementia that offer therapeutic benefits and they include:
Horse riding
Stroking
Feeding the horse
Haltering and leading
Grooming
In some sessions, depending on the participants’ abilities and mood, a person may not even touch the horse.
Professional therapists often lead the sessions and set goals for their clients.
This can be something SIMPLE like putting a halter on the horse or leading the horse to a designated area.
The client will do their best to complete the task. And then discuss the ideas, thought-process, and problem-solving that were used to finish the task.
The discussions help IMPROVE language skills. Listening to the therapist helps enhance a person’s ability to listen and follow directions.
The effects of dementia on a person go from mild to severe, depending on the stage of the disease. Also, they may vary from person to person.
In other words, not all experience the same impact of dementia on their mental and physical state.
Since we are continuously doing researches and studies, you can later come back to this article and find new effects that we will add.
As a caregiver, family member or relative, it is crucial to understand the main and most common effects of dementia.
This way, you will easier recognize the disease and seek help from a doctor. Not to mention, if a person with dementia experiences rapid mood swings, you know it is not you who is the source of the circumstance.
While this might be HARD to comprehend, you need to develop a thick skin when you are around a person with dementia.
Let the effects of the disease have no impact on you.
Typical Effects Of Dementia On A Person
1. Poor nutrition
A person with dementia suffers from different emotional and physical symptoms. These can include severe loss of appetite or the loss of willingness to ingest meals.
As a normal person without any mental incapacity, it is already typical for everyone to skip a meal when experiencing constipation or toothaches.
Thus, imagine what a person with dementia who is constantly suffering from emotional and physical pain goes through and the (poor) nutrition they consequently get from these sufferings.
Additionally, another cause of poor nutrition may be traced to communication problems such that a person affected with dementia may have difficulty indicating his hunger.
Another factor could also be the lack of appetite due to frequent changes in medication. This can also cause (rapid) weight loss in patients with dementia.
2. Aggressiveness
If a person is in pain, it is normal that their behavior or mood may suddenly change without their awareness.
Aggression is another effect of dementia that may be seen in a person suffering from this kind of mental incapacity.
There are two major factors why can a person with dementia act or show aggression.
1. First is a physical abnormality.
The stress caused by physical changes to the body can affect his or her inhibitions and make them less aware of what kind of behavior is appropriate.
They may also have less tolerance for environmental changes since the surroundings may be too busy or overwhelming.
Temperature intolerance is also another reason for aggression. It is a fact that these physical changes may lead to another factor – psychological abnormality.
2. Psychological abnormality is the second factor. With this, the person affected may feel disrespected.
For example, a person may feel that he is being prevented from doing things he ought to do.
1. Bathing, as fear of water can sometimes be a problem.
The person may not be able to gauge the depth or temperature of the water and will be frightened to step into it.
2. Changing clothes, as changing clothes is essential for hygiene and personal freshness.
However, a person with dementia might just skip changing clothes, keep wearing the same old ones.
Thus, they might need a bit of encouragement removing dirty clothes at the end of the day and putting on clean ones the next.
Being a person who loses interest in life inevitably loses his interest in cleaning himself regularly as well.
4. Anxiety
Dementia is both a mental and a physical torture where one’s psychological well-being could really get affected.
Once affected, it causes one’s brain to be overly stressed, thus, making a person emotionally and mentally weak.
Accordingly, this is how a person with dementia develops anxiety.
He or she will start to be frightened of everything. According to the video presentation, a person with anxiety caused by dementia will be extremely withdrawn from a crowd.
It is because a crowd makes them suffocated and anxious.
An anxiety attack can be distinguished when one is experiencing heart palpitations.
Anxiety also activates a natural stress response which causes the body to increase perspiration or sweating.
Additionally, one can also experience shortness of breath during an anxiety attack.
5. Sleep disorder
A person suffering from dementia is also experiencing problems in sleeping. It is because their memory seemingly becomes worse after a bad night.
As the disease progresses, the damage to a person’s brain becomes more extensive and he or she gradually becomes weaker and frailer over time.
This one may be the least experienced effect of dementia but it is still essential to know how dementia affects one’s sleeping patterns.
If you see a loved one oversleeping all throughout the night or spending their time sleeping all day time and even finds themselves sleepy regularly, such circumstances may indicate that a person’s condition is getting worse.
6. Depression
When a person is suffering from dementia, his or her common response with regard to their usual routines is having uncontrollable mood swings.
Sometimes, the person becomes extremely jolly or too fearful.
Their inability to complete simple daily tasks at home, work or in school leads to multiple frustrations, and a buildup of demotivation and mental breakdowns.
These instances unconsciously lead a person to develop depression and anxiety.
Depression is the most prominent mental health problem of a person with dementia.
In some cases, symptoms of depression are often confused with the early stages of dementia but both of which are actually related to one another.
7. Communication challenges
Dementia makes it difficult for a person to speak or to communicate, and this can be upsetting. This is another effect of dementia that can make a person frustrated.
You might hear persons affected using filler words most of the time when trying to express themselves.
It is because they are having trouble finding the right words/sentences on how they can describe what they feel, what they want to eat, or even what they want to do.
Besides, a person with dementia may repeat words or phrases and stutter every time they try to communicate with other people.
We all need to communicate regarding our needs, wishes, and feelings. Losing the ability to communicate effectively negatively changes the quality of our life.
8. Repetitiveness
According to Enomwoyi Damali, living with her mother who has dementia has taken some time adjusting to. Her mother usually asks her the same things over and over again a hundred times.
In the latter part of this mental illness, this effect of dementia occurs and becomes cognizable.
The cause of repetitiveness is the feeling of being anxious and frightened as well as seeking comfort, security, and reassurance.
A person affected with dementia may also have trouble understanding what’s going around him or her because of memory incapacity, hesitations, loss of feeling for a time and even boredom.
Always try to remember that the person is not difficult on purpose as this effect could be more frustrating to them more than what you feel every time you listen to him or her.
9. Trouble adapting to the environment
A sudden change in surroundings could really make a person hard to adapt.
This is an impact of dementia wherein a person does not enjoy changes as much as what he or she was used to.
Small changes could incite negative emotions in the person who is suffering from dementia, and changes from the environment can also result in confusion and feelings of being frightened frequently.
A constant change in one’s environment can also result in anxiety attacks.
A person who is having a hard time concentrating, thinking, and expressing one’s emotions might not accept or totally reject adaptation to the environment.
10. Irritability and mood swings
In the mid and especially late stages, a person who has dementia may begin to lose control of his impulses.
This is the most alarming effect of dementia, which may lead to hurting another person emotionally.
A person who has dementia may even say tactless things, like “Gosh, you look old!”, which they would never say before.
In the later stage, more aggressive acts often seem to come out of nowhere, including cursing, arguing, shouting, and even threatening.
As dementia gets worse, the person loses tolerance for a lot of things and situations which makes his or her mood change constantly.
11. Stressed family relationship
Engaging with a person suffering from dementia in the house can be quite stressful, not only to the one in charge but also to the one taking care of the person with this mental illness.
A person with this kind of brain incapacity requires a lot of attention, understanding, and patience.
It could also be so tiring doing the routine regularly. This engagement could cause a domino effect with other family members.
Recognition could be a problem as well and should already be expected, as the person affected may not recognize anyone of the family members when things get worse.
A person may only remember their parents; or in the worst-case scenario, no one.
12. Demotivation
If one is sad, he is most likely to feel sluggish and lazy for a short time.
If one is depressed, he or she is unable to get the strength to be motivated which may persist for months – even years.
For a person diagnosed with dementia, it is twice as worse.
An individual who is dealing with the effects of dementia often loses the eagerness to fight it or looking at life with a positive outlook.
Now that his mental capability slowly weakens, his reason for living and fighting for the people whom he used to know and care for dies.
Anxiety and depression are two of the common reasons why a person especially suffering from dementia can be demotivated.
These certain groups of people need tons of genuine moral, financial, and emotional support from family members friends to make them feel secured, well-attended, loved and respected.
And that no matter what happens, there is always a reason to look forward to another day even if they do not remember how to anymore.
13. Trouble learning new things
If your loved one is diagnosed with dementia (predominately any type), one of the effects is trouble/difficulty learning new things and solving problems.
It becomes very evident that even if you repeat them what to do several times, not only do they not show interest in it, they are struggling, too.
Offer a helping hand and together solve the task.
The last thing you would want to do is to start screaming and yelling at them.
Unfortunately, this is part of the progression of dementia. Instead, you should introduce all sorts of different dementia activities which will help keep their brain active.
Said that, keep them engaged in various exercises as often as possible for as long as possible. This will slow down the process of dementia, worsening their well-being.
14. Unable to concentrate
Unfortunately, with the progression of dementia, a patient will eventually have a hard time concentrating and focusing. Their attention span will decrease drastically, too.
In some instances, the slightest distraction can put them off, almost forgetting what they were doing just seconds ago.
As a caregiver, family member or friend, in these situations, patients matter most. One thing you must absolutely not do is to argue with the person.
It is an unpleasant effect of dementia that we cannot avoid but alleviate.
With different exercises, like opposite cards and other fun memory activities, you can contribute to the lack of their concentration, aiming to boost the attention span.
Many people with dementia, their caregivers, and loved ones often ask us if dementia medication make dementia worse?
In short: Yes and no.
Before answering this question, it is important to note that medicine for dementia does not cure the progressive illness.
They are usually prescribed to help with symptoms that affect memory, thinking, behavior, and mood. The medication may also help some people and not others.
Additionally, in some cases, the medicine may only work for about 6-12 months.
It is not possible to buy dementia medicine because they are only available on prescription.
Read on to learn more about dementia medicines and whether or not they can make the illness worse below.
Medication for Dementia
4 common pharmaceutical drugs usually prescribed for dementia include:
Donepezil
Memantine
Galantamine
Rivastigmine
The above come in various brand names and are available as liquids, tablets, patches, or tablets that dissolve in water.
Furthermore, there are other medication options that people with dementia may take such as:
Antidepressants
Aspirin
Sleeping tablets
Antipsychotic medicine or tranquilisers
How Medication for Dementia Works
Pharmaceutical drugs given to persons living with dementia normally work by increasing the levels of various chemicals in the brain.
Medications like rivastigmine, donepezil, and galantamine increase the levels of a chemical known as acetylcholine.
This chemical is usually low in persons who have dementia and the medicine can treat some of the symptoms that affect memory and thinking in some people with the neurodegenerative illness.
NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) recommends that the 3 medications are more suitable for persons who have mild or moderate dementia.
Common side effects of these medications may include muscle cramps, feeling sick, diarrhea, headache, and tiredness.
Memantine is another pharmaceutical drug that doctors prescribe for persons with dementia. It helps to reduce the amount of glutamate.
Experts believe that it slows down damage to brain cells affected by dementia.
Some side-effects of taking this medicine include confusion dizziness, headache, vomiting, weight gain, constipation, aggression, depression, nausea, cough, and body pains.
Impact of Medication on Persons with Dementia
When looking for answers to the query can dementia medication make dementia worse, it is important to note that different people react differently to the medicines.
Weil Institute for Neurosciences states that generally there are 3 ways people with dementia may react to the pharmaceutical drugs:
1. At times, the medicine may lead to improvement in cognition, memory, or behavior.
2. For some individuals, the medication may not make any notable difference. However, behavior, cognition, and memory may not decline or worsen as fast without the medicines.
3. Sometimes the medication may not work at all and it can seem like a person becomes worse and suffers various side effects.
How To take Medications for Dementia
Dementia doctors normally recommend that a person starts taking medication in small doses before increasing it after some time to target the required dose.
This is very important when it comes to answering the question can dementia make dementia worse.
Depending on how an individual reacts to the medication, a doctor can either stop the medication entirely or go ahead with the treatment option.
Keep in mind that many people will develop some side effects when they start taking dementia medication.
For most, these usually go away after some time.
While most people can take dementia medicine without a problem, it’s necessary to observe individuals who have a history of medical problems.
For instance, persons with severe kidney or liver issues may not be in a position to take the medicines or if they are helpful may need to take lower doses.
Medication that can Make Dementia Worse
Some medicines used to improve dementia seek to increase choline levels in the brain. This is a chemical that the brain cells use to communicate with each other.
Some types of pharmaceutical drugs are “anti-cholinergic” which means that they decrease choline levels.
They may also cause difficulties while urinating, constipation, and a dry mouth.
Examples of such medication include:
Benadryl: This is mostly found in over-the-counter sleeping and allergy pills as well as cough syrups.
Tropsium/Sanctura: these aid persons who need to urinate frequently but they can also cause agitation and confusion.
Bladder pills like Detrol/Tolterodine.
Atropine/AtroPen: Caution needs to be exercised when using eye drops in dementia.
Glycopyrrolate/Robinul: it dries secretions and also causes agitation and confusion
Diphenoxylate and Lomotil/atropine: it is often prescribed for persons who have diarrhea. It may be okay when used one or two times. Frequent use, however, may cause problems for persons who have dementia.
Amitriptyline: In the past, this was used to treat depression. Today, it is prescribed to treat irritable bowel conditions and neuropathy.
Steroids: medicines that are often used to reduce various types of inflammation can cause pose health problems for individuals with dementia. An example is Prednisone that which can cause insomnia, agitation, and confusion.
Closing Thoughts
There is no standard (yes or no) answer to the question can dementia medication make dementia worse.
This is because some people can have positive results after taking the medicine while others will experience worsening symptoms.
Research, however, continues in search of new medications that can help with dementia.
After close investigation, we saw that cooking therapy for dementia is one of the therapies that people living with dementia benefit from.
QUITE significantly.
Some experts describe cooking therapy as a therapeutic technique that uses cooking, arts, gastronomy, and people’s personal, familial, and cultural relationships with food to address psychological and emotional issues.
An article in Psychology Today described cooking therapy as one of the ways to simultaneously nourish the mind and feed the soul.
How Does Cooking Help Dementia?
MIND DIET Cookbook for Beginners: Tasty and Nutritious Recipes for Optimal Brain Health (The Alzheimer’s Prevention Food Guide)
Also known as kitchen or culinary therapy, cooking therapy is also considered a form of SELF-CARE according to Dr. Axe.
This is because it helps people save money, relieve anxiety, and the result is a product that an individual can enjoy on their own or share with others.
Professionals agree that cooking can support an individual’s mental and physical health in multiple ways.
This is why this type of therapy can be beneficial to a person with dementia. It is, however, important to make sure that seniors engaging in cooking therapy do so safely depending on their current abilities.
Persons with dementia SHOULD ONLY take part in tasks that do not put them at risk of injury.
Some of the appropriate kitchen activities are:
Washing vegetables
Rolling dough
Setting the table
Mixing ingredients
Cleaning dishes
Making simple meals like sandwiches and fruit salads
Avoid letting the elderly handle sharp cutlery, hot stoves, and other risky actions.
It is best to gauge what an individual is CAPABLE of handling even for the most willing and able seniors.
Always match the tasks assigned to the functional level of the individual with the neurodegenerative illness.
With this in mind, let’s look into some of the ways individuals with the progressive illness can benefit from cooking therapy.
Benefits of Cooking Therapy for Dementia
Reduces Stress
A 2018 review revealed that cooking can help enhance mood and reduce anxiety symptoms by giving participants a sense of accomplishment, control, and providing for themselves or others who will end up eating the meal.
Dementia often brings negative emotions and feelings caused by frustration and confusion. Cooking can HELP get rid of such by reducing some of the behavioral symptoms that people with dementia showcase.
For instance, a SIMPLE act of kneading dough or washing potatoes can reduce irritability and depression.
This is because a person is presented with a task that they can accomplish and enjoy which aids in relieving stress.
Encourages Physical Activity
One of the perks that cooking therapy for dementia presents is encouraging individuals with the illness to get on their feet as they prepare ingredients and clean up afterward.
Physically, cooking requires some movements in fingers, shoulders, neck, elbow, neck, wrists, and good overall balance. An EXCELLENT activity for the entire body if you will.
Muscle strength is also required in upper limbs for chopping, cutting, and mixing.
While it may not be an intense workout, cooking sessions allow people to enjoy a fun and creative exercise that is relatively active.
Promotes Healthy Eating
Most people who engage in cooking therapy end up being mindful of what they put in their mouths.
High-quality diets are crucial for maintaining brain health. Dr. Andrew McCulloch wrote that nutrition should become a mainstream daily component of MENTAL HEALTH care.
Including foods that are rich in various nutrients including legumes, dark leafy greens, berries, and oily fish, etc. has been linked with better outcomes for persons battling mood disorders.
MIND DIET: Eating for a Sharp Mind and Healthy Brain (The Alzheimer’s Prevention Food Guide & Cookbook)
Cooking makes people FEEL nostalgic especially during family gatherings, over the holidays, and other traditional events.
Persons with dementia can reminisce on good times they had in the past cooking or sharing meals with loved ones.
Time Magazine researchers suggest that humans associate food with happy memories. The smell is another powerful element that triggers nostalgia.
Note that the part of the brain that processes smell is the EMOTIONAL center of the organ.
This implies that individuals are biologically hardwired to evoke emotions through smell.
Susan Whitborne professor of psychological and brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts explains that food memories involve all five senses reason they are more sensory than other types of memories.
Cooking therapy can also enhance brain stimulation through various actions that the senior participants in.
For starters, a person needs to concentrate on the activity a move that gives the brain a workout.
Encourages Self-Expression and Social Bonding
One of the benefits of cooking therapy for dementia is when seniors cook in a group setting.
They have a good time working with peers and other staff members where they end up enjoying the support and help of others.
It is quite EASY to bond over a delicious meal or snack.
The process of creating these foods offers the elderly an opportunity to have fun and provides a social outlet for self-expression.
Closing Remarks – Cooking Therapy for Dementia
Many professionals agree that cooking therapy for dementia is quite beneficial for various stages of the illness.
This has even led to the introduction of therapeutic kitchens in many long-term care facilities.
Not only do residents use the kitchens but the staff and family members as well.
