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 depression  Exploring 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 AD Forgets part of experienceForgets 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 women Over 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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