LIVING WITH DEMENTIA
My Weekly’s favourite GP from TV and radio writes for you
Forgetting things, especially when you’re distracted, is normal and not a sign of dementia. But what can you do if a loved one is affected, or to protect yourself?
Our best estimate is that there are about 850,000 people with dementia living in the UK. We don’t know exactly – partly because many people with early dementia don’t have a formal diagnosis.
In Alzheimer’s disease, which affects about half a million people, “tangles” of protein get laid down in the brain, disrupting the connections between nerve cells.
The second most common kind of dementia, vascular dementia, is down to tiny clots in the blood vessels of the brain, which gradually lead to loss of blood supply. There are several other less common forms of dementia, all more common with age.
As well as memory problems, people with dementia can lose interest in normal activities and socialising, get emotional very easily or develop changes to their personality. Try to remember that this is the disease speaking, not your loved one. It’s also important to tell your doctor about these symptoms – there are lots of options that can help. There’s good evidence that keeping physically and mentally active can cut your risk of getting dementia – although it isn’t a guarantee. Regular physical exercise is important, but so is stimulating your brain. Reading, doing puzzles, learning new skills and even playing board games can help.
Keeping your blood pressure, cholesterol and
weight down play a major part in countering vascular dementia. So does a healthy diet – preferably a Mediterranean-style diet with lots of fruit and veg, less saturated fat and refined food, less red meat and more oily fish.
Helping a loved one with dementia can be challenging. On the one hand, they’re likely to feel anxious and need support and reassurance. On the other, encouraging them to do as much as possible for themselves can mean they’ll stay independent for longer.
Although there’s no cure, there are several medicines to treat symptoms of dementia. One group is aimed at slowing the progression of symptoms – they’re usually only suitable for people with Alzheimer’s. They’re started by the hospital and then prescribed by the GP.
The patient is assessed regularly while they’re on treatment – they can cause side effects, and since they don’t work for everyone they’ll only be continued if they’re helping. In some patients, they make a major difference.
Some people with dementia get agitated or restlessness, and may suffer hallucinations. Medical teams work hard to find non-drug ways to help – everything from social interaction to talking therapy or engaging in regular activities. They’ll also try and tease out if pain is causing their distress, and whether treating this might settle them. But if these don’t work and your loved one is still struggling, your doctor may recommend antidepressants or major tranquilliser medicines.
If you look after someone with dementia, you’re entitled to support. Don’t be afraid to ask. Looking after a loved one with dementia can be physically and emotionally exhausting. Your GP should offer an annual carers assessment. You can also get advice from the Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053. Next week: Fit enough to exercise?
REGULAR PHYSICAL EXERCISE IS IMPORTANT, BUT SO IS STIMULATING THE BRAIN’’