unit five: dementia and depression 6-session memory enhancement course
TRANSCRIPT
UNIT FIVE: DEMENTIA AND DEPRESSION
6-session Memory Enhancement Course
Objectives
Characterizing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Learning who suffers from Alzheimer’s, brain changes associated with, symptoms, causes, prevention, and treatment of AD
Exploring Alzheimer’s disease-like symptoms
Objectives
Understanding the importance of lifelong learning
Defining and describing clinical depression
Improving recognition of depressionExploring the causes and
physiological factors of depression
Brain Myth #5
Alzheimer’s Disease is a normal part of aging.
Brain Exercise
Which is the odd one out?
CAT MONKEY WHALE
MOUSE SHARK
Walter is standing behind Sally and at the same time Sally is standing behind Walter. How can this be?
Dementia
Dementia is a loss of intellectual function that interferes with a person’s daily functioning
Dementia impacts: Thinking Remembering Reasoning Language
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)
• The most common dementia
• Involves the parts of the brain that control
thought, memory, and language
• Life span after diagnosis 3-20 years
• No cure for AD
– Treatment options
Who suffers from Alzheimer’s Disease?
• 5.2 million Americans suffer from AD
• 10% of people over 65
• Usually begins after age 60
– Risk increases with age
• Younger people also
may get AD
Brain Changes with AD
• Nerve cells die in areas of the brain that are vital to memory and other mental abilities.
• Impairs thinking and memory by disrupting messages.
Normal Forgetting vs. Possible Alzheimer’s Symptoms
Normal Forgetfulness Forgetfulness in ADForgets part of experience Forgets an entire experience
Retraces steps to find misplaced keys
Unable to retrace steps
Forgets events long ago; remembers recent events
Forgets recent events
Repeats stories to distant friends
Repeats questions or stories within an hour
Follows written/spoken directions
Gradually unable to remember written/spoken direction
Symptoms of AD
• Initial stage: – Mild forgetfulness
• Middle Stage:– May forget how to do simple tasks or may get
lost – Begin to have problems speaking,
understanding, reading, or writing
• Later stage:– Total care is needed
AD-Like Conditions
– Thyroid problems– Drug reactions– Depression- “pseudodementia”– Delirium– Brain tumors– Head trauma– Blood-vessel disease– B-12 deficiency (below 400 can cause cognitive
impairment)– Syphilis– Alcohol– Parkinson’s (40% wrongly diagnosed as dementia)– Huntington’s Disease
How is AD Diagnosed?
• Physicians can only make a “possible” or “probable” diagnosis of AD
• Physicians can diagnose AD correctly approximately 85% of the time
• Tools to diagnose:– Clinical history– Cognitive/Neuropsychological
Test– Lab Tests
What Causes AD?
• Factors impact people differently• Age• Family history/genetics• Environment • Evidence shows that physical, mental, and
social activities are protective factors for AD
Risk Factors We Can’t Control
• Age
• Genetics
How is AD Treated?
• The course of disease varies from person to person
• No treatment can cure AD
• Drugs may prevent some symptoms from becoming worse
• Medications: Aricept (best improvement), Exelon, Razadyne, Namenda
• Balanced diet
Alzheimer’s Prevention
• Exercise regularly!• *Anti-oxidants:
– Vitamin E (2,000 units/day)• Note: vitamin E is a blood thinner
• Healthy for Heart, Healthy for Brain!• Lifestyle Matters
– Stimulating Activities: crossword puzzles, instruments, computers, etc.
*Note: Vitamin suggestions are general guidelines. Intake should be cleared by your physician
Lifelong Learning?
• Protects the brain by establishing “cognitive reserves”
• Brain is more adaptable and flexible
• Its never too late! Mental skills training can improve cognitive abilities for those suffering from AD
Brain Break! Exercise
A woman marries 11 men in the space of 10 years. She divorces none of them, none of them die and she has not committed any crime.
How is this possible?
Depression
• A sadness that is overwhelming and interferes with daily life – Lasts 2 weeks or more
• Not a normal part of growing older
• Under 65: more womenOver 65: equal for men and women
Depression
Responds well to treatment
May be difficult to diagnose
Greatest risk are those with physical illnesses
Depression is an illness, not a sign of “weakness”
Recognizing Depression
• Personality changes– Loses interest and pleasure in activities,
things, or people– “Drop out” and withdraw from social activities
• Isolation and loneliness– “Nothing I do matters”– “It’s just too hard to get going”
• Hard time putting feelings into words
Recognizing Depression
• Loss of energy• Feeling useless or hopeless• Irritability• Great concern with health problems• Sadness and crying• Worry and/or self-criticism• Loss of appetite and weight• Difficulty concentrating and/or making
decisions
Causes of Depression
• Usually a combination of factors:– Loneliness – Poor health– Financial problems– Life stressors: moving,
loss of loved one
Physiological Factors
• Genetic factors• Imbalance of brain chemicals called
neurotransmitters– May be more likely as people grow older– Medications are aimed at correction of
these imbalances• Side effects of certain medications (certain
BP meds, sedatives and sleeping pills)
Alcohol and Depression
• Alcohol can cause depression in all ages
• If taken with other drugs, interaction can aggravate depression symptoms
• Moderation, if at all, is key along with physician knowledge
Don’t Suffer in Silence
• Talk to your doctor, family member, minister, nurse, counselor, friend, crisis line or senior help line
• Medications and counseling are effective in restoring quality back to living
• Most people are surprised at how good it feels to feel good again!!
Brainwork
10 extra minutes of physical activity
Wake up the brain in the morning
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