Nearly 1 million Canadians have dementia to some extent.
I have had moments where I have forgotten something, forgotten a person’s name, gone down to the cantina but forgot why, forgotten the name of an organization that I deal with often. Memory lapses that have made me feel like I am losing my memory. I’m not!
The most important confirmation that reassures me I am not losing my memory is that I ask myself the question, maybe even aloud, “What did I come here for?” or “Why don’t I remember their name?”
A person with dementia is not aware they have their ‘brain fog,’ their memory slip, their mental lapse. Their minds simply draw a blank; they act without awareness or explanation.
I attended a Dementia Workshop recently. The presenter was Carol O’Neill, Durham Alzheimer Society’s community engagement coordinator. The presentation was very informative, providing clearly explained information about the world of dementia.
The world’s an unfriendly place
People living with dementia must deal with a world that too often lacks empathy, awareness, and responsible interaction. People are curt, too assertive in responses, too impatient. These kinds of social interactions exacerbate the person living with dementia. They may become unnecessarily aggressive, even violent. They may seem to go absolutely inert, not responding to any words or actions put to them.
Assertive action leads to inertia
The world for people who have dementia is frightening, very troublesome at the very least. People react to these sufferers as if they are strange or acting unreasonably. Too often, the interaction with the person living with dementia is too assertive, making them more anxious and stressed, and worsening their cognitive awareness.
You’re not suffering dementia
Momentary memory loss is normal and not unnatural. It happens to most people and does not mean they have dementia. Busy people, those with much on their minds, and those overwhelmed by mental images and events naturally experience this.
Consider the 10-point dementia self-awareness list below. If you check off many of the items, it may be a good idea to meet with your doctor.
10-item dementia self-awareness checklist:
- Memory changes that affect day-to-day abilities
It’s normal to forget appointments, colleagues’ names, or a friend’s phone number occasionally, only to remember them a short while later. However, a person with dementia may forget things more frequently or struggle to recall recently learned information. - Difficulty doing familiar tasks
Distractions can cause busy people to forget serving part of a meal, only to remember it later. However, a person living with dementia may have trouble completing tasks that have been familiar to them all their lives, such as preparing a meal or playing a game. - Changes in language and communication
Anyone can have trouble finding the right word to express what they want to say. However, a person living with dementia may forget simple words or substitute words that make it hard for that person to be understood. - Disorientation in time and place
Have you ever forgotten what day of the week it is or can’t remember why you went into your bedroom? It happens to all of us. However, people living with dementia can become lost on their own street, not knowing how they got there or how to get home. - Impaired judgment
People may occasionally make poor decisions, such as putting off seeing a doctor when they are not feeling well. However, a person living with dementia may experience changes in judgment or decision-making, such as not recognizing a medical problem that needs attention or wearing heavy clothing on a hot day. - Problems with abstract thinking
People may occasionally have difficulty with tasks that require abstract thinking, such as managing finances. However, someone living with dementia may have challenges understanding and using numbers. - Misplacing things
Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. However, a person living with dementia may put things in inappropriate places, such as a cell phone in the refrigerator, the remote control in the freezer, or the milk into the cupboard. - Changes in mood, personality and behaviour
Sometimes people feel sad and moody, or experience changes in their behaviour. But a person living with dementia may experience more severe changes. For example, they may quickly become tearful or upset for no obvious reason. They may be confused, fearful, suspicious and withdraw from others. They may act differently from what is normal for them. - Loss of initiative
It’s normal to lose interest in housework, business activities or social obligations, but most people regain their initiative. However, a person living with dementia may become passive and disinterested. They may need cues and prompts to become involved. - Challenges in understanding visual and spatial information
A person with dementia may have problems with vision, depth perception, and movement. They may also have challenges finding their way around their environment or placing items on a table. Sometimes, dementia can cause these issues, and it’s important to see a doctor and an eye specialist to get everything checked out.
Interaction with people who have dementia can be challenging and difficult. For mutual benefit, act gently, politely and softly. Keep movements slow and smooth. Speak clearly at a reasonable volume. Ask rather than declare. Ask if they need help, and how you can help. Find out if they have identification or maybe even wear a medical alert bracelet identifying them as having dementia. The person with dementia needs help. Interact with them in a gentle, courteous manner, asking if you can help them. It may be the behaviour we need more of in our world today.
