The Impact of Dementia

The older I get the more difficulty I have blocking out the voice of my mother shouting phrases at me that never made any sense until now. As children we would laugh and mock how our parents warned us with certain sayings that sounded made up to all of us. Whenever we got together to play with our friends in the neighbourhood, we would share stories about our parents. Today, all of those funny lines seem to make sense. Am I losing my mind? One of the things I remember most that was said to me by mommy dearest was, “Everything happens for a reason”, and “People come in and out of your life for a reason.”

A year ago, a colleague that I respect and cherish told me to help out an organization with work they were doing in the field of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease. Shaking in my boots, I said, “Yes”, without knowing exactly why she selected me since I had no idea how people could be affected by dementia. Some leaders in the community you just don’t say NO as an answer to them. She has always been my she-ro. The organization she introduced me to is called the Alzheimer’s Association, an amazing team of people that showered me with love, education, and guidance to reach communities that are suffering from the disease. Outreach was also conducted in the LGBTQI+ communities. As the team came together, awareness trainings and webinars have been created to extend the reach of education and increase awareness of dementia.

So I am a believer that so many things happen for a reason and significant people step into our lives at the right moment. Several years ago, my sister became rather weird and started doing and saying things that made me want to say, “Bye Felicia”. She screamed at me once when I was visiting her saying that I never return her phone calls. I was in utter shock as I tried to explain to her that I had left many messages for her. I asked her to listen to her messages with me, but noticed she had some difficulty in remembering how to retrieve messages. So, I helped and played them on her phone which made her angry, yelling that it wasn’t my voice. Once I calmed her down, I suggested we watch something on the television. She looked at me confused, then I was baffled when she didn’t know how to use the remote control that she always used. Upon my departure, she was back to herself, leaving me quite puzzled by the experience. When I voiced concern, the mood was to mind my own business. I regret that I did. Things continued to get worse.

My involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association in Oakland, CA has given me the opportunity to share information about dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease with everyone through my social networks, with colleagues, family members and friends. There is so much that we can do to help others to live a quality life. Confusion increases as cognitive powers decline. The dementia awareness training covered the effect of Alzheimer’s Disease, how to adapt our living spaces, ways to adapt our processes, and adjusting our approach in providing assistance to others. Here are a few helpful tips:

• Adapting Our Spaces: Easily visible signage and entrances. Avoid overly bright or dark settings. Reduce distractions. Gender neutral restrooms are helpful. Set aside a quieter space.
• Adapting Our Processes: Create real life interactions when possible. Establish more reminders and check-ins. Less paperwork, more second chances. And remember, one step at a time.
• Adjusting Our Approach: Always remember to approach from the front. Stay on their level. Speak simply and clearly. Be aware of non-verbal cues. Connecting overrides, the task. It’s important to be a good listener. Provide simple instructions and choices and only ask one question at a time. Try to focus on feelings instead of facts.

Initially, it surprised me that some populations are at higher risk than others. For example, Latinx/Hispanics are about 1.5 times as likely as whites to develop Alzheimer’s and other dementias. African Americans are about twice as likely to develop the disease as whites. Almost two-thirds of Americans living with Alzheimer’s are women. LGBTQIA+ seniors are twice as likely to develop dementia than their straight counterparts. One in 5 people who identify as LGBTQI+ provide care for another adult.

The added stress that Blacks and other people of colour face every day can lead to high blood pressure as well as mental health conditions such as depression. Research tells us that people who experienced racism had higher rates of depression, which can lead to an increased risk of dementia in later life. The extra stress may have many causes, including everyday racism, residential segregation, additional socioeconomic barriers. Other inequalities in healthcare can also increase the risk of doctors misdiagnosing or overlooking early dementia in LGBTQI+ communities and among people of colour. This happens every day when you grow up as a person of colour, and often as a woman.

Here are a few of the warning signs:

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
2. Challenge in planning or solving problems
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
4. Confusion with time or place
5. Trouble understanding visual images & spatial relationships
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
8. Decreased or poor judgment
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
10. Changes in mood and personality

After reviewing the list, many of us may recognise some of these signs that I have always associated with working too many hours or just moving too fast. How often have we misplaced our car keys and searched for them around the house? My favourite one is searching for my glasses when they are on top of my head. Has this ever happened to you yet? Often, I have placed something in a safe place so that I won’t lose it, and months later, I can’t remember where that safe place is. What’s interesting about dementia and Alzheimer’s is that we will all deal with it on some level, whether taking care of a parent, family member, partner/spouse, a friend, or ourselves. This is why it’s so important to be aware of this disease and to share information with others.

On a positive note, there are steps that we can all take to reduce the risk of dementia that include:

• Eating a healthy, well-balanced diet. Eating more fish and vegetables can lead to improved cognitive function.
• Increasing physical activity. Regular exercise and physical activity may help to reduce the risk of chronic conditions linked to dementia, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression.
• Controlling blood pressure. Keeping high blood pressure under control can lower the risk of stroke and heart disease, both of which have links to dementia.
• Cognitive training. According to the National Institute of Aging, reading, playing games or puzzles, dancing, walking, socialising with others, using apps that stimulate the brain, and doing crafts may lower the risk of cognitive impairment.

Do you know anyone dealing with dementia? What are you doing to help them or to spread the word about dementia? For more information check visit the Alzheimer’s Association in America. In Australia, visit Dementia Australia for more information.