Every year September 21st is World Alzheimer’s Day around the world. This international campaign is aimed to raise awareness and challenge common stigma that surrounds Alzheimer related dementia.
Many people still wrongly believe that dementia is normal aging, which is why it is important to provide more awareness and knowledge.
There are at least 8 different types of dementia, not to mention there are mixed combinations as well. Some of the most common ones are: Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Parkinson’s Disease Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, Huntington’s Disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, and Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus.
Symptoms vary by type, but 10 of the most common warning signs are:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks
- Problems with language
- Disorientation regarding time and place
- Poor or decreased judgment
- Problems keeping track of things
- Misplacing things
- Changes in mood and behavior
- Challenges understanding visual and spatial information
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
When these signs are new and affecting your daily life or the life of someone you know, you should talk to your doctor or seek out more information. Having an examination can exclude other treatable conditions (ex. Thyroid problems, urinary tract infection, depression). If the diagnosis is dementia, then it will give you the opportunity to obtain more information, resources, and support for yourself and those close to you.
When dementia affects someone close to you like a partner or parent, it can cause a lot of stress, anxiety, and grief.
My colleague Jill Johson-Young and myself are hosting a free virtual support group every third Saturday of the month to support and provide resources for the caregivers.
Some of the tips we share in there are:
- Never argue with the person who has dementia. Instead, agree. Remember it’s the
disease, not the person.
- Never reason. Instead divert.
- Never shame, instead distract.
- Never lecture, instead reassure.
- Never say “remember”, instead reminisce.
- Never say “I told you”, instead repeat.
- Never say “You can’t”, instead say what they can do.
- Never demand, instead ask.
- Never condescend, instead encourage.
- Never force, instead reinforce.
You can also find some more resources on our facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Riversidedementiasupport
If you or a loved one would like more information and/or support. I encourage you to reach out to me or our office Central Counseling Services (951) 778-0230. We have counselors available 6 days a week in two locations: Riverside and Murrieta.
Ilse Aerts, M.S., LMFT#96211, LPCC#6135