Dementia or age-related absentmindedness? How to understand what is happening to a loved one

The older a person is, the more likely he is to experience degradation of memory, thinking, and other functions - the development of dementia. What are its first signs and is it possible to prevent acquired dementia? This was told by associate professor of the department of general medical practice with a course in geriatrics at the Belarusian State Medical University, candidate of medical sciences Lyudmila Zhilevich. Intellectuals or workers? There is an opinion that a professor will develop mental disorders later than a factory worker.

- Intellectual work in general can delay dementia, - the DOCTOR says . - But on condition that there was no constant stress, mental activity alternated with physical activity, the person did not smoke, did not useALCOHOL . Otherwise, the risks are the same as for representatives of physical labor.

Science has proven that the chances of getting dementia are higher for people whose blood relatives suffered from it, especially Alzheimer's disease.

Risk factors are the presence of vascular diseases, arterial hypertension, diabetes, injuries, especially HEAD injuries. A sedentary lifestyle stimulates the development of dementia,excess weight , smoking and alcohol. If a person under 60 leads a lifestyle that excludes all this, then the probability of the disease decreases by 50%.

- If a person has arterial hypertension, and he does not take drugs that stabilize the pressure, then he can bring himself to vascular catastrophes - a stroke or a heart attack. This in turn leads to the degradation of nerve tissue and the development of dementia, - the expert notes. - The same mechanism of changes in cerebral vessels occurs in people with diabetes. A person does not maintain a diet, does not regulate insulin levels to normal with drugs - blood flow in the brain decreases, and senile dementia is just a stone's throw away.

As in all civilized countries, the population of Belarus is aging: 17% of compatriots are people 65 years and older, and there are about 2.4 million pensioners in total. Vascular dementia predominates among residents of our country, which can be corrected with drugs and an improved lifestyle.
Notice and don't be embarrassedThe first signs of dementia are diagnosed by the person himself, usually at the age of 60+. Previously organized, he suddenly began to forget his keys when leaving the house. When he comes to the store, he does not remember what he needs to buy. For a long time he cannot remember the name and surname of a childhood friend or what date it is today. Feeling ashamed and awkward, the person hides the problem from others. Writes notes, sets reminders on the phone. And this is the best time to see a doctor! At this stage, it is easier to slow down the progression of the disease.
Today, there are many amateur tests for dementia on the Internet.

- You can use them, but of course, you can't make an unambiguous conclusion based on their results, - says Lyudmila Zhilevich. - There is a possibility of the influence of situational stress or overexertion. A psychologist, psychotherapist or neurologist will exclude these factors.

When dementia has stepped into the second stage, then the problem becomes obvious to loved ones. Grandmother or father begins to act strangely. They will either put threads in a pot to boil instead of pasta, or leave shoes in the washing machine instead of a shoe rack. But most often they go outside and lose their bearings, getting lost in a familiar place. They return home with the help of the police or caring passers-by.

- As soon as this happens, you need to put notes with your full name, phone number and address in all the pockets of your clothes and purse, - the geriatrician advises. - And if a similar situation repeats itself, urgently take them to the doctor. The fact is that at this stage, unlike the first, the person himself is no longer aware of the problem, does not worry and does nothing.

Unfortunately, in practice, most patients with dementia come to the doctor when the third stage is already developing. Its characteristic feature is pronounced memory impairment, daytime sleepiness. And as soon as the sun sets, on the contrary, overexcitement begins. The night passes restlessly. An elderly person can be aggressive, wander around the house, go outside.

- At this stage, a person requires round-the-clock observation and care, - says Lyudmila Zhilevich. - Relatives, mostly women, are forced to leave work and look after their loved one. And they themselves begin to experience stress and emotional burnout.
The simplicity of the differencesIf it is not dementia, but ordinary absent-mindedness or just age-related sluggishness? How to tell them apart?

- If you were absent-minded before retirement, then this is a character trait, - explains Lyudmila Zhilevich. - By the way, it will worsen after 65 years. Do not confuse dementia with forgetfulness from multitasking or an excess of information. Try to rest or intentionally track the sequence of your actions. Have the symptoms disappeared? This is not dementia.

But if an elderly relative was given a key on a string, a sheet of paper was attached to the door with a reminder to close the door, and he still forgets, the problem is obvious. Memory lapses are accompanied by indifference, fading interest in those aspects of life that were important to him before. For example, grandfather used to like to chat with neighbors on a bench or watch football , but now these activities do not attract him. He describes any situation in dark colors: "No need, useless, pointless" ...

People with dementia talk mainly about their past. Impressions from 50 years ago displace events that have just happened. A person will describe in detail how he weeded the garden as a child, and will not remember whether today's breakfast was tasty. At the same time, he does not say anything at all about the future or plans.

Another characteristic sign of the disease is the difficulty in counting prime numbers. Have you ever watched an old woman in a line at a store, counting kopecks for a long time or simply holding out her palm with coins so that the cashier can take the right ones? Elementary counting is now given with great effort.

A pensioner is not a small childWhen a doctor diagnoses a mental disorder in an elderly person, relatives, as a rule, begin to "protect" him, limiting his actions. And this is a huge mistake!

"Mommy, don't wash the dishes, take a rest, sit down," relatives say with good intentions. But the more he maintains his usual functions, especially household ones, the better for his HEALTH. Even if a person does not want to, he should be stimulated, asked for feasible help. A very useful activity for the elderly is sorting: linen, cutlery or something else. In this case, the brain and body work simultaneously.

- At the first stage of dementia, a person is able to live independently, - the geriatrician believes. - In a new situation, for example, when drawing up a contract at a bank, he needs help, because everything new is difficult to learn with this disease. But at home, in a familiar environment, he can do everything. A person loses household functions last as he ages. Therefore, they need to be preserved for as long as possible.

Dementia progresses most actively when a person does nothing. Lack of physical activity affects brain function and weakens the muscles of the limbs. Old people with fragile bones and signs of imbalance should be protected from falls. To ensure safety, buy him a cane or a walker in time. Because if an injury puts him to bed, senile dementia will bloom in full bloom.

And one more thing. At the first stage of the disease, it is important to take medications that correct chronic diseases. If diabetes or arterial hypertension are not kept in check, dementia will also progress. In case of memory impairment, relatives can take control of medication intake. It is worth buying special tablets in which medications are laid out in cells by days of the week. However, this helps only at the first stage.

Every year, 10 million new cases of dementia are registered in the world. After 65, the incidence rate doubles every five years.

| Elena KOZLOVSKAYA, newspaper "7 days". Photo from open Internet sources.

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