10 myths and facts about dementia

“Are Dementia and Alzheimer’s the same?”

“Can dementia can be reversed with medicines”

“Will the memory loss progress”

We’ve met caregiver families from diverse backgrounds. The one thing that remains consistent across all these people is the presence of myths, which may come in way of understanding and planning for the loved ones affected by the disease.

Here are some of the most common doubts people have:

Myth – It is a natural part of aging
Fact – It is important to realize that the severity and frequency of the symptoms in Dementia is much greater than the normal aging that in turn affects the daily living of the person.

Myth – Dementia happens only to elderly.
Fact – A small proportion of the population can have Younger Onset dementia, the symptoms in which case occur before the age of 65 years. Alzheimer’s disease has the highest prevalence in that.

Myth – A Dementia patient doesn’t know what they are doing.
Fact – On contrary, many of them do know what they want, it’s only the inability to communicate due to the changes in their sensory modalities that makes it difficult for the loved ones to clearly express.

Myth – Alzheimer’s and Dementia are the same.
Fact – Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a cluster of symptoms, while Alzheimer’s in one subtype of it which has its own features and characteristics.

Myth – Dementia is reversible, while Alzheimer’s is not.
Fact – Some forms of dementia are reversible (e.g.: Korsakoff Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injury, Normal pressure Hydrocephalus), while Alzheimer’s is a progressive terminal condition. Medicines only help in the initial to the moderate stage, for behavior management.

Myth – Dementia equates memory loss.
Fact – Dementia is beyond memory loss and affects every domain of a person’s life. Difficulty in remembering recent conversations, names or events is often an early clinical symptom; apathy and depression are also often early symptoms. Later symptoms include impaired communication, disorientation, confusion, poor judgment, behavior changes and, ultimately, difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.

Myth – People with Dementia become incompetent post the diagnosis.
Fact – Proper and timely diagnosis along with correct interventions can help the person be engaged meaningfully and purposefully.

Myth – All Dementia patients’ progress in a similar manner.
Fact – Dementia is very unique to the individual suffering from it. There are a range of symptoms that is characteristically observed: Agitation, Wandering, Aggression, Paranoia, Sun downing, Personal Hygiene Issues, Hallucinations (in some cases). However, the symptoms show up in different order and degrees.

My mother had Dementia… will I also develop it?  Research states that having a first degree relative only increases the risk. When a disease runs in the family, coupled with similar lifestyle choices and pattern, one runs a greater risk of developing Dementia.

Having any particular diet helps? Research states having a healthy diet along with active lifestyle is one of the strongest modifiable risk factor for Dementia. MIND Diet which stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, specifically includes foods and nutrients that medical literature and data show to be good for the brain, such as berries, beans, fish, olive oil, whole grains.

We at Samvedna Care aim to help seniors live happy, active and independent lives, in the comfort of their home and community through interactive caregiving.

Samvedna Care was established in October 2013 with two complementary goals – firstly to provide quality home care services to seniors with limited mobility or dementia and hence social interaction, and secondly to facilitate stimulating community interaction and participation.

Cognitive Wellness Programme, Sector 57  Gurgaon  –
Samvedna’s Cognitive Wellness Programme is designed for seniors with mild cognitive impairment, early dementia or Parkinson’s, and elderly lacking in enthusiasm and motivation. The aim is to stimulate the mind of the elderly to slow the progression of the disease or impairment. The sessions are 3 days a week, 11AM-1PM.
More – http://www.samvednacare.org/our-work/cognitive-wellness-programme

Our Dementia Care services are –

At-home services –
Dementia intervention activities by trained Care Specialists (already mentioned above). These services are available in Delhi NCR and Guwahati
More –https://www.samvednacare.com/service/dementia-care
Please call us for more info – Delhi NCR – 98184 21446, 124 4229659 | Guwahati – 9864015872

Dementia Support Group –
Our Dementia Support group in Delhi NCR and Guwahati is a platform for caregivers to share feelings and support each other.
Please call us for more info – Delhi NCR – 98184 21446, 124 4229659 | Guwahati – 9864015872