Column: Dr Christine Ritchie On Alzheimer’s
[Column written by Dr Christine Ritchie]
Alzheimer’s is a disease that inspires a great deal of concern in many of us, whether already living with a loved one who is suffering from it or because we are concious of the risks in the future. There is reason for concern, too, with Dementia Bermuda having estimated that there may be as many as 3,000 people living with dementia on island and 80 per cent of dementia care being undertaken by unpaid family members.
Much of this can be put down to Bermuda’s dramatically ageing population: the median age here is 43, putting the island at 17th in the world for population age. For comparison, the United States is 61st with a median age of 38.
September marks Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in Bermuda and so we wanted to share answers to some of our most frequently heard questions.
Spotting it early
The earliest symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can be devastatingly subtle.
If you are consistently forgetting recent events or important dates, not just the occasional inability to find one’s phone or keys, if things that used to be easy for you [such as reading a recipe, writing checks or keeping track of medications] now are becoming harder, if you are getting confused about days of the week or where you are in a otherwise familiar neighborhood, you are having trouble following conversations, or feeling overwhelmed by things you used to enjoy, these might be indicators to make an appointment with your doctor.
For example, memory changes may show up as new information not ‘sticking’ like it used to. That means forgetting about the latest doctor’s appointment that was made, or the details of a recent conversation. This can manifest in someone with possible dementia asking the same question over and over again.
We often will see changes in what is called ‘our executive function’ – things like problem solving, figuring out how to use appliances, follow a recipe or keep track of finances. As things progress, one might notice some confusion about time or place, losing track of dates or seasons or having a hard time figuring out how to get to places that were, in the past, familiar.
While finding the right words can also be a symptom, it is also not uncommon for all of us as we age, to have some word finding difficulty, but for most, the word can eventually be retrieved. As Alzheimer’s develops, the word is less likely to be retrieved.
Sometimes some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s or other dementias may seem more like personality changes: people may become more anxious or withdrawn, suspicious or depressed.
It is important to realise that many people [around 40-60 per cent] who experience dementia don’t have insight into or awareness of their own symptoms. This is why it is important for all of us as friends, family or neighbors to respectfully get involved in a nonconfrontational way to support persons who may be developing Alzheimers and work to get them the help they need.
When to ask for help
If you notice any of the symptoms above in yourself or in a loved one, please rest assured that is enough reason to involve your doctor. You will not be wasting their time or inconveniencing them: the earlier these kinds of diseases are caught, the better.
Is there anything we can do to help prevent Alzheimer’s?
Encouragingly, there are many preventative things we can do. A recent study called the POINTER study, highlights some of these behaviours: physical activity, nutrition, cognitive stimulation and social engagement, which significantly improved cognition in diverse older adults at risk for cognitive decline and dementia.
Are more people developing Alzheimer’s or dementia than they used to?
Alzheimer’s Disease International estimates that the number of dementia cases globally may triple over the next 25 years. Estimates shared by local organisation, Action on Alzheimer’s and Dementia, suggest that as many as 9,000 Bermuda residents – which means one out of every seven people – could be living with the disease by 2050.
There are a number of reasons why this is the case. First, Alzheimer’s/dementia is a disease of aging and more common as we get older. It is most common in people 85 and older and that is the population age group that is growing the fastest in Bermuda. With improved public health and scientific discoveries, we are also surviving other conditions, which increases our risk of surviving to an age where we may develop dementia. Finally, there are many factors that increase our likelihood to developing dementia, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, that many in our society have – that also increases risk.
- Dr Christine Ritchie, MD, MSPH – Director of the MGH Dementia Care Collaborative; Mass General Palliative Care/Geriatrics
Read More About
Category: All
