A presentation by the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and …€¦ · · 2013-09-27name of book...
Transcript of A presentation by the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and …€¦ · · 2013-09-27name of book...
A presentation by the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County to Carleton University staff on January 24, 2012.
Normal Aging: it is NOT a disease
IT:• is gradual• is normal• is inevitable and irreversible• varies in rate from person to person• occurs in all living things
Photo courtesy of PhotoDisc
Memory - What Stays the Same• Remote Memory (years ago and having
strong emotional importance) – remains strong
Memory - What Stays the Same
• Semantic Memory – remains strong but expect that retrieval may take a little longer
Memory Changes with Age
• Episodic Memory (days and weeks ago) -declines– May forget name of movie seen last week or
name of book recently read• What Helps:
Memory Changes with Age• Working Memory (seconds/minutes ago) -
declines; forgetting where you put the keys or what you went into a room for:
• What Helps: – Tackle one thing at a time– Keep items in same place
Memory Changes with Age
• Prospective Memory (remembering to do something in the future) - declines
• What helps:
Normal vs. Abnormal Memory Loss
• Forgetting the name of a new neighbour
• Telling the same favourite story at every gathering
• Forget what you ate for lunch
• Writing notes and lists
• Not remembering the name of close family
• Telling the same story in the same visit/conversation
• Not remembering you ate lunch
• Not remembering to write things down
What is Dementia?Dementia
is a set of symptoms,which includes loss of memory,understanding, andjudgment.
Reversible Conditions Affecting Mental Functioning
• Medical disorders (thyroid)• Depression, anxiety, stress• Medication side effects, interactions• Health changes, infections• Nutritional deficiencies (B12)
Dementia – not a disease, but a set of symptoms that accompanies a disease
Alzheimer Frontotemporal Lewy Body Vascular MixedDisease Dementia Dementia Dementia Dementia
What is Alzheimer’s disease?• Progressive: the amount of damage done by
the disease increases over time
• Degenerative : brain cells degenerate or break down
• Irreversible: damage cannot be repaired;
At present there is no known cause or cure.Current medications slow down the progression.
Alzheimer’s Disease: 10 Warning Signs
• Memory loss affecting day-to-day function
• Difficulty performing familiar tasks
• Problems with language
• Disorientation of time and place
• Poor or decreased judgment
Alzheimer’s Disease: 10 Warning Signs
• Problems with abstract thinking
• Misplacing things
• Changes in mood and behaviour
• Changes in personality
• Loss of initiative
Risk Factors• Age• Family History• Mild Cognitive Impairment• Cardiovascular Disease• Head Injury• Diabetes• Other factors (stress, clinical depression,
alcohol abuse)
Getting a DiagnosisIt is important to understand that:• There is no single test
• Getting a diagnosis is a lengthy process that may involve:- medical history- mental status exam- laboratory tests- neuropsychological evaluations- physical exam
Photo courtesy of Quincy Herald-Whig
Prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Canada
• 500,000 Canadians over 65
• 1 in 11 over age 65• 1 in 3 over age 85• By 2031: 1 million
CanadiansPhoto courtesy of Knowledge News
Prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias in Ottawa and
Renfrew County
• 15,000 people in Ottawa and Renfrew County
• About 2,500 new cases each year
Photo courtesy of the City of Ottawa
What can you do to take charge of your brain health?
• Challenge your brain• Be Socially Active• Choose a Healthy Lifestyle• Protect your Head
Challenge Your Brain• Play games to challenge
your mind• Pursue a new interest,
learn a language, take a course, go to a museum
• Break your routine• Keep up hobbies, or
take up a new onePhoto courtesy of The Permanente Journal
Be Socially Active• Accept invitations & extend a
few of your own• Combine social and
physical/mental activities • Participate in service clubs,
volunteer work• Help someone out – practice
a random act of kindness. • Make the most of daily
opportunities to socialize.
Photos courtesy of CMCD and Speak First
Choose A Healthy Lifestyle• Enjoy a variety of healthy
foods• Track your numbers: blood
pressure, cholesterol, weight
• Plan physical activity• Reduce stress• Choose wisely: avoid
smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• See your doctor if you have concerns about your health
Photos courtesy of The Age and Quincy Herald-Whig
Protect Your HeadPrevent Concussions
• Wear an approved helmet when engaged in sporting activities such as skating, skiing, cycling etc.
• Reduce your risk for falls in the home by installing bath bars, handrails, night lights
• Wear grippers on winter boots in icy conditions.
• Drive safely and wear a seatbelt.
Photo courtesy of the City of Eden Prairie
Count the number of F’s
FINSIHED FIELS ARE THE RESULT OF YEARSOF SCIETIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF
YEARS….
• First Link® Program: Individual SupportSupport GroupsEducation
• Public Education Seminars• Speaker’s Bureau• School Education Program• Partnership in Transitional Care• Resource Centre• Safely Home® Program
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