September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and the 21st of September is observed as World Alzheimer’s Day. The day is dedicated to raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive disease that affects our brains.
The theme for World Alzheimer’s Day 2022 is “Know dementia, know Alzheimer’s”, which is a continuation of the theme from 2021. This year’s World Alzheimer’s Day campaign highlights the importance of support for both the individuals living with dementia, and their friends and families.
Stigma still plays a big role in the misconceptions and myths surrounding dementia, as highlighted in the World Alzheimer’s Report 2019. Continuing to raise awareness and increase knowledge of dementia across the world means that individuals and their friends and families will have the best and most up-to-date information available to help them to prepare and adapt for life with a diagnosis.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is the first step in accessing support, creating a care plan, and preparing for the future.
If you think that you or a loved one may have Alzheimer’s disease, the first step is to visit your GP to discuss your concerns. You could take a friend or family member along to your appointment for support, or offer to go with a loved one to their appointment.
Your GP will ask about the symptoms you are experiencing, and about your overall health in general. They will also ask how you’re finding personal care and everyday activities such as cooking and cleaning. Read more on the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
To rule out other conditions, your GP may perform a physical examination, and may also arrange for you to have a blood test.
Once other conditions have been ruled out, you may be asked to complete some tests known as cognitive assessments. These tests will highlight any areas where you may have difficulties, such as thinking abilities, concentration, memory, or language and communication skills.
These tests alone are not sufficient to confirm a diagnosis and following these you may then be referred for further assessments, which can include more comprehensive memory tests, a CT scan or MRI scan, and a referral to a dementia specialist.
If you or a loved one receive a formal diagnosis, it can be a shock and it may take a little time to come to terms with it. You may have lots of questions or worries.
Your GP or specialist should talk through everything with you, including your symptoms and how they may progress.
They will also discuss possible treatment options and provide information on local support and advocacy groups in your area.
At present, there is unfortunately no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, however there are a number of treatment options available that can help to temporarily reduce and manage symptoms.
Some of the most common medicines used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease are Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. These medicines prevent enzymes from breaking down a substance in the brain that helps nerve cells communicate with each other, and are commonly used to treat mild to moderate symptoms.
If you are unable to take or tolerate Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, or your symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are more severe, you may be prescribed another type of medicine known as Memantine.
As well as medications, there are other forms of treatment that can help to manage Alzheimer’s disease. These include:
In addition to medical treatment and therapies, additional support should also play a big part in your care plan. If you or a loved one have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, you can sign up to the Dementia Information Service to receive emails around understanding dementia, accessing care and support, and financial and legal advice.
As we know, this year, the aim of World Alzheimer’s Day is to highlight the importance of this extra support and the benefits it can provide.
The NHS Dementia guide outlines everything you need to know about dementia and where to access support after a diagnosis.
Support groups can offer information and the opportunity to chat with others with similar experiences. Find a dementia information and support service in your area here.
If you are having difficulty with everyday tasks such as getting dressed or cooking your meals, you can request a needs assessment from your local council.
A needs assessment will identify areas where you need additional support. This may be in the form of a meal delivery service, or a care worker to support you day to day with personal care or household tasks.
There are many charities, organisations and forums that can offer advice and support to both you and your family, friends, and carers.
Research into dementia can help to improve diagnostic criteria and assessments, theorise potential causes of the disease, improve dementia care, and potentially identify new treatments. If you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia and are interested in volunteering for research projects to help increase knowledge and understanding of the condition, you can find out more about current UK trials and research projects on the NHS Join Dementia Research website.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be both a relief, as you will have an idea of what to expect and can now plan for the future, and a worry. World Alzheimer’s Day aims to raise awareness of the disease and shine a light on the resources and support available for individuals with Alzheimer’s and their families, friends, and carers, to help alleviate some of the worries individuals may have, and allow everyone to make informed decisions and choices when it comes to their care.
Photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash.
