• Home
  • Advertise With Us
  • Login

KC Our Health Matters

Black Men Speak: Health, Strength and Hope
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Awards & Events
    • Advertise With Us
  • Our Departments
    • Community
    • Cover Story
    • Food & Fitness
    • Online Articles
    • Health
    • Publisher’s Greeting
    • Videos
  • Digital Magazine
    • Digital Magazine
    • Caregivers Resource Guide
  • Subscription
  • Vaccination Update
    • COVID-19
  • Contact Us
You are at :Home»Health»The Truth About Dementia
The Truth About Dementia

The Truth About Dementia

Health

Learn the signs and symptoms.

By Stanley P. Fisher, M.D.
Co-Director, Saint Luke’s Marion Bloch Neuroscience Institute

Stanley P. Fisher, M.D.Concern about developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is very common among aging adults. Patients often come to my office worried about their memory loss, or a decrease in their ability to think, plan, reason, speak or be motivated.

While the decline in memory and cognitive function often causes concern, having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean one has a neurological disease. Some of these symptoms are a result of natural aging and non-neurological causes. Pain, sleep deprivation, depression, poor health and attention deficit all may cause these symptoms.

If your symptoms are not related to other causes and do not significantly impair your day-to-day function, we call it Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). However, if symptoms progress to the point at which there is significant impairment in job performance or daily living and you can no longer perform alone, we call it dementia. Dementia is not a diagnosis, but instead a set of symptoms caused by an underlying disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common – but not the only – cause of mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

If you have a persistent concern about yourself or a loved one, it’s time to visit a memory disorders specialist. A specific diagnosis requires a comprehensive evaluation, including brain imaging (MRI, FDG PET and Amyloid PET), blood work, neuropsychological testing and evaluation by a memory specialist. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment options can be explored. In one-third of dementia cases, the cause is something other than Alzheimer’s disease. Diagnosis may be made by a memory disorders specialist or a general neurologist.

Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging. Caregivers should remember that dementia is caused by a disease, and not a flaw in the patient’s character, so don’t take it personally. Caregivers should pace themselves, preparing for a marathon not a hundred meter dash, and establish a circle of care because one caregiver cannot do it alone.

When a loved one has dementia, it’s important to concentrate on the quality of life, rather than a cure, and enjoying every moment, especially the positive experiences, no matter how few. Pitfalls include trying to become a parent to your parent, and trying to explain something using complex reasoning and truthful explanations. Fluctuations are normal, so enjoy good days and survive bad ones.

Loss of memory is not a loss of humanity, so caregivers and health care providers should maintain dignity for the patient and their loved ones. The right care for a patient with dementia includes a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers that specializes in memory disorders, including neurologists, neuropsychologists, geriatric and neuropsychiatrists, social workers and others.

For more information about the Saint Luke’s memory disorders team, visit saintlukeskc.org.

Dr. Stanley Fisher is also Chair, Division of Neuroscience; Chief, Department of Neurology; Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry, UMKC School of Medicine, and Edward T. Matheny, JR/Missouri Endowed Chair in Neurosciences.

2018-09-12
kcourhealthmatters
linkedin Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest Stumble More
Previous Article :

Treating Alzheimer’s Disease Matters

Next Article :

Tips for Traveling with Alzheimer’s

Related Articles

Cost of Care in the United States

Cost of Care in the United States

kcourhealthmatters 20 Apr 2017
Income Inequality

Income Inequality

kcourhealthmatters 20 Apr 2017
Jobs, Education, and Training Support Healthier Lives

Jobs, Education, and Training Support Healthier Lives

kcourhealthmatters 20 Apr 2017

Vaccine Updates

Sheffield Place

Mother’s Refuge

Hope Haven of Cass County

Benilde Hall

Popular Articles

Who Cares for the Caregiver?
Health

Who Cares for the Caregiver?

kcourhealthmatters 10 Nov 2017
health matters
Cover Story

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams

kcourhealthmatters 12 Sep 2017
Achieving Goals
Health

Jobs, Education, and Training Support Healthier Lives

kcourhealthmatters 20 Apr 2017
Are Pilates Right for you
Food & Fitness

You’ve Heard of Pilates, But Is it Right for You?

kcourhealthmatters 05 Jul 2017
Five Ways to Make Getting Healthy a Family Affair
Health

Five Ways to Make Getting Healthy a Family Affair

kcourhealthmatters 05 Jul 2017
  • Community
  • Food & Fitness
  • Health
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap

KC Our Health Matters
Since Our Health Matters™ launched in 2005, we have provided readers with insight into how to live healthier lives.

Recent Posts

  • Black Men Speak: Health, Strength and Hope

    Black Men Speak: Health, Strength and Hope

    18 Nov 2022
  • GET THE FACTS ABOUT LONG-TERM & SHORT-TERM SKILLED CARE

    GET THE FACTS ABOUT LONG-TERM & SHORT-TERM SKILLED CARE

    11 Oct 2022
  • Aging Changes Our Bones

    Aging Changes Our Bones

    11 Oct 2022

Subscribe Now

    Copyright 2021, All Rights Reserved - KC Our Health Matters