Don’t Wait: Why Talking to Your Doctor About Alzheimer’s and Dementia is Important
October tends to be a scary month full of thriller movies and haunted houses. However, there is one other scary thing that tends to cause “frights” throughout the entire year, and that is talking to your doctor about dementia. At Comprehensive Care, we understand that discussing Alzheimer’s and dementia is not easy for anyone. No one wants to watch their loved one’s memory fade away. It is extremely important though to have this tough discussion with a medical professional. As we approach Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in November, we want to help break the stigma and raise awareness of why having this talk can make a huge difference.
Misconceptions About Alzheimer’s Disease
Adults tend to have major misconceptions about their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. According to AARP, nearly half of adults over 40 believe developing dementia is inevitable. The truth is that only around 11% of adults in the United States who are 65 or older have Alzheimer’s disease. This misunderstanding can deter people from seeing their doctor if they begin to notice memory changes or any of the other early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. We did a blog on the Alzheimer’s Association’s 10 signs earlier this year, but here is a quick reminder of what to watch for:
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning or problem solving
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Confusion with time and place
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
New problems with words in speaking or writing
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Decreased or poor judgment
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Changes in mood and personality
Benefits of Seeing a Doctor
With Alzheimer’s disease, an early diagnosis is key. You’ve probably heard this a million times before, but it is true. An early diagnosis provides additional options for patients and their families. It also allows your doctor to rule out any other medical issues, like thyroid disease or vitamin B12 deficiency, that could be causing cognitive decline. Doctors can make recommendations of lifestyle changes you can make that can help delay cognitive decline as well. For example, getting high blood pressure under control, exercising, eating a healthy diet, and getting plenty of sleep can all potentially help keep your mind stronger longer. According to the Center for Disease Control, lifestyle changes can delay or prevent up to 40% of dementia cases.
Something else to keep in mind is that hearing loss has also been linked to dementia because people with hearing loss may isolate themselves from conversations. If you notice your healing deteriorating, see a doctor.
If you or a loved one is ultimately diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, an early diagnosis opens the door to more treatment options. Researchers are working hard to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are clinical trials currently available you could potentially participate in. An early diagnosis can also help reduce the burden that is put on a family because their loved one can still help make decisions about their health and future. Families can focus on making lasting memories with their loved ones and address any safety issues like driving ahead of time too.
Talking Tips
Walking into your or your loved one’s doctor’s appointment prepared will make things much easier. We do not recommend anyone that anyone goes to this appointment alone. Always take a loved one along because they will be able to help share any noticed changes with the doctor. A person with dementia may also not be thinking clearly, so having that additional person in the room is a huge help. Due to this unclear and often irrational thinking, a person may refuse to even consider going to the doctor. “Early dementia causes confusion and clouds rationality, making it much harder to negotiate a visit to the doctor. One of the biggest challenges is getting someone in the door,” Dr. Helena Chang Chui, who is chair and professor of neurology at Keck School of Medicine at USC, said. Dr. Chui recommends that a family member make the appointment and give the doctor a heads up about what is going on. She also said two of the best ways to tell a loved one he or she is going to the doctor is to bring it up when the person is thinking clearly or during a normal conversation. For instance, you could tell them you’re going to take them to the mall and then stop by the doctor’s office for a routine checkup.
At Comprehensive Care, we know learning that you or a loved one has Alzheimer’s is not something anyone wants to hear. Our teams of expert caregivers in Nashville and Chattanooga can help you navigate this disease. We can provide the specialized care you or your loved one needs. You can learn more about our Alzheimer’s and dementia care opportunities on our website.