Alzheimer Education Event

Jule Koch Brison | Apr 25, 2013

“Last in, first out” was how Caitlin Norwich-Stevenson, a Public Education Coordinator with the Alzheimer Society, described the memory loss that accompanies Alzheimer disease. She was referring to the fact that people with Alzheimer’s lose their most recent memories first. This was during an informative presentation that she gave about Alzheimer’s Disease and related Dementia on April 17 at the seniors’ complex in Sharbot Lake.

Caitlin explained to the audience that although the terms Dementia and Alzheimer’s are often used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. Dementia is not a disease but a set of symptoms that include loss of memory, understanding and judgement, and changes in mood and behaviour. Dementia is related to a number of different diseases and can be reversible or irreversible. Reversible dementia can be caused by medications, infections or nutritional disorders, among other things.

The prime cause for irreversible dementia – over 65% of cases – is Alzheimer’s Disease, but other causes include Lewy Body disease; Pick’s disease; Parkinson’s; head trauma; and Korsakoff Syndrome, which is linked to substance abuse.

Severe brain changes take place with the onset of dementia – the person looks fine but their brain cells shrink and are replaced by plaques; tangles develop and choke brain cells, and the death of brain cells leads to increasing cognitive impairment.

After describing dementia in general, Norwich-Stevenson then concentrated on Alzheimer’s. While memory loss is its most famous hallmark, there is no single test for the disease.

She described normal forgetfulness, in which people are aware of the date and time but will temporarily forget people’s names and the location of things. However, they will recall them after a time.

With Alzheimer’s, the memory loss is severe and affects day-to-day functions. Among other warning signs are: difficulty performing familiar tasks; disorientation of time and place; problems with language, judgement, understanding and abstract thinking; and changes in mood, behaviour or personality.

Caitlin said that a person with Alzheimer’s can take as long as 27 seconds to understand and respond to what is said to them – which she said doesn’t seem like a long time, but if you’re waiting for the person to respond, it’s a long time.

Getting a diagnosis is a lengthy process and usually involves evaluating the person’s mental health status.

While there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s, certain medications may slow down its progress in the early stages, which is why the Alzheimer’s Society is working very hard to educate the public about the disease in the hopes that early intervention could help some patients.

Caitlin said that although the memory deteriorates, the person’s emotions remain intact and it is important to continue to consider those emotions and respect the person.

The stresses of dealing with Alzheimer’s are severe, not only for the person who has the disease but for caregivers as well. There are painful decisions to make and families are exhausted, scared and frustrated.

Most of the participants in the seminar have family members with Alzheimer’s and Caitlin told them that while it is a difficult journey to watch, it is important to try to find the positive things about their respective situations.

On that note, one participant related that he has found it to be a very rich experience listening to his father’s memories of his earlier life. “I never knew any of that about my father,” he said.

Another participant said that whereas her mother spent her whole life worrying about her children, those worries have now slipped away from her.

A tip that was shared by participant Donna Hollywood was for caregivers to don the same coloured clothing to reassure the person being cared for, as they can become anxious when having to deal with many different caregivers. In Caitlin’s words, people with Alzheimer’s “don’t do change well”.

One member of the audience asked for advice on how to take charge of their parent’s financial affairs and Caitlin said one strategy is, rather than telling the person they’re no longer capable of managing their own affairs, to ask the person to teach them what they know about finances.

Another participant asked about violent behaviour and Caitlin said that she will be holding more seminars in the future to give help with specific problems like that.

Anyone who needs help or has questions is welcome to contact Caitlin at 613-544-3078 ext 203; toll free: 1-800-266-7516; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Alzheimer Society holds a support group on the first Wednesday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. at the United Church hall in Sharbot Lake, and on the last Thursday of the month, 7-9 pm at the Grace Centre in Sydenham.

For more information, visit www.alzking.com.