Is it Alzheimer’s or Dementia?

There are an estimated 35.6 million people around the world living with Dementia, and around 5 million living with Alzheimer’s according to WHO (World Health Organisation). People tend to use the word interchangeably, but they are not. Alzheimer’s is a disease; dementia is an illness. Either can be one of the most devastating illnesses that can happen to yourself or a loved one.

It is of a progressive nature and can be very demanding which can lead to burnout for caretakers or caregivers. It is critical, as a caregiver to take time out and seek respite care to allow time to ease the stress that at times can be overwhelming. Some of the best caregivers become a victim themselves; make time for your well-being.

I became an Alzheimer’s advocate after experiencing firsthand the heartbreak of watching a loved one transform into a shell of a person you once knew. You experience those moments of lucidity and clarity and glimpses of your loved one from time to time. However, for the most part, this illness leaves you with an array of emotions that is hard to explain, unless you live it. This article is intended to reference the beginning of the significant problems that often goes overlooked. I find that it is imperative to have our loved ones diagnosed for preventative measures that we could easily have implemented as a precursor to prepare better for the unforeseen future.

There isn’t exact data that determines what causes this debilitating disease. It can range from vascular diseases and stroke which my loved one had. Depression and chronic drug use or HIV infection or alcoholism is determined to be a cause of this. With early detection, there are remedial delaying measures of the symptoms that we can implement. I became a fiend for knowledge of this enemy progressing as dementia was arming to attack my loved one; I wanted to learn everything. My desired aim was to stop it clear in its tracks. I read and researched and just wanted to make sense of what and how this could happen In the first place? I later learned that the elderly population is somewhat bundled in a dementia bandwagon as I call it. Being misdiagnosed with something as simple as a UTI or urinary tract infection is just one innocuous symptom. An unchecked UTI can wreak havoc on some of our elderly, and the sooner a physician detects it immediately and treat it, life can resume just as it was for some. If you notice that something seems to be a bit off, have a doctor check first to rule out a UTI. I was to find out later that that a UTI trigger, would always compound the symptoms of rage or depression in truly diagnosed dementia that manifests the feeling of helplessness by the patient, caregivers making the illness worse by just ignoring the mere possibility of an underlying UTI gone untreated.

I would like to believe that some caregivers could attest to my loved one’s care along with our primary physician who with his assistance and willingness helped to guide our comprehensive measures as a means to a slower progression of dementia. They could speak to that as a testimonial as my family, and I was not hesitant in implementing our natural and what we found as healthy alternatives to staving this off without all the unnecessary mind ravaging hallucinogenic medicines. However briefly, I will share a fraction with you of what we learned and felt confident that it made a difference in day-to-day life for my loved one.

Implementing some of these following measures; we strongly feel extended the outcome longer than the doctors anticipated this illness would inevitably take its toll. I’d like to think our diligence gave us more quality time together. I must preface that it is more daunting a task than this one article could ever encompass, which a book I am writing will follow that I know will help many families understand and shed light from another perspective. I am not purporting to be nor am I a physician or in the medical field. I just needed to know more. With proper research, we found that and, little did we know that most adults over the age of 60 have a Vitamin B12 Deficiency? Now, this was disconcerting and a cocktail date that we didn’t miss each month with a physician visit, a shot, and a blood test. A lack of B vitamins can cause moodiness and depression. This regimen and the effects of the B-12 shots were more energy and alertness. Vitamin B is sometimes lacking in the diet. You can get B 12, through essential foods, but let’s face it the appetite can wane and be deprived of nutrients. I found out early on that that there is an actual term for lacking vitamin B, hypocobalaminemia is the proper name.

Researching further, we found it imperative to have the thyroid checked for hypothyroidism, especially in women. Gone undetected, thyroid problems can cause symptoms that mimic dementia as well. Vitamin D is another deficiency that can be tested for. Usually, the shut in without proper sunlight causes lack of natural Vitamin D which can also tremendously affect health. A diagnosis of Bi-polar with manic episodes fit into these categories in our elderly as a dementia prognosis and the medicines to treat the two illnesses are not the same. I, unfortunately, speak of this with  firsthand knowledge. The symptoms exacerbated into dementia in my loved one’s case that eventually was deemed as par for the course of a cause that we were apprised of regrettably much too late, and my loved one was not treated for at the onset.

Parkinson’s disease is another situation that can mimic dementia. I find that it is very important and cannot stress this enough, that we do not assume nor let the medical industry just lump the symptomatic illnesses of our aging baby boom generation with a broad sweep of a brush stroke into just one category. I hear dementia in families so much as the sickness that it makes me wonder just how many could or were undertreated? It thoroughly makes sense that you must address the underlying symptoms first to determine the cause, isolate and treat those to rule out what the ailment is.

On a personal note, for my family and I we provided supplements that I swore by with great results for some time. Along with her personal physician who provided great care and weaned my loved one off those litanies of drug cocktails when it did more harm than good, the doctor was tremendous. It is necessary to learn the importance of a healthy diet including your brain food of Omega 3’s from salmon, mackerel or tuna. I used fish oil as a supplement in certain dishes. Stay away from processed foods. Fresh blueberries are natural antioxidants that offer compounds called  anthocyanosides, food for the brain.

At the onset, keep yourself or your loved one active. Reading and walking can help relieve symptoms and any fun activities. Just get out and enjoy life. There is an excellent site online called Luminosity for the brain. In the meantime, play cards, board games or try a new hobby. There is truth to the old saying, use it or lose it! Retiring should consist of a lifestyle that includes activity and exercise regimen to avoid an empty playground without adequate stimulation to your brain. Volunteer, talk to people, and keep yourself relevant in the lives of others. I am a Realtor with an SRES designation. (Senior Specialist) I have been in homes that I am to sell only to find that the family was unaware of their loved one’s mental decline because it can be hidden from loved ones quite well. I read a book early on “Still Alice,” which shared the insight of the lengths one goes through just to keep others in denial even with themselves. I could see the telltale signs but certainly could not make a diagnosis but was able to inform the families in these instances to whom I made a suggestion to check with their physician or that they call their local areas of aging or the Alzheimer’s Association, social services to assist them.

In the conclusion of this article, I hope that it can be helpful and give you the strength that you can survive this ordeal and are not alone. Please, remember, first up on the agenda is that if; you suspect odd behavior in your loved one or be it yourself. Be proactive to rule out what a little blood test or a visit to the Physician can determine first off. Be insistent that more testing is required for your loved one. While there may not be a cure if it is dementia or Alzheimer’s, do not lose hope or faith. You have taken the first steps for what may lie in the future by asking questions and by further probing into this which you or your loved one deserves. You can help one enjoy the quality of life that is afforded by preparedness. I hope that in sharing this article and others with this magazine offering good health and living well advice, it can change the outcome of so many reading today. With the holidays upon us, visit your friends who are elderly and shut-in. View their living conditions By doing so with this wonderful fellowship opens the windows and doors to preventative measures.

Karen Walls

* Alzheimer’s.Net / Difference between Alzheimer’s and Dementia is an excellent source of information differing between the two.