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June Andrews, a nurse, dementia expert and author of the counseling book titled "When Someone You Know Has Dementia" provides feedback at the end of each task to explain what the tester might be feeling.
"The horror of missing a test and understanding what it means is visceral and real," said Andrews today.
"I want healthy people to have an idea of what it does, because they can do everything in their power to stay healthy and delay dementia – exercise, do not smoke, do watch out for alcohol, stay active mentally, keep a healthy weight – and they may have more sympathy for those affected and their caregivers. "
People with dementia often do not talk about what they are going through, withdrawing from their friends and feeling ashamed or frightened, Andrews noted. At the same time, most healthy people do not want to imagine what it is because they are afraid, she added.
Some 5.8 million Americans live with Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia. The puzzles are designed to reproduce what they are going through.
The humiliation of not being able to carry out a simple task leads to anger, for example. Fear and stress are also due to the fact that non-compliance with these tests could result in loss of employment or confiscated driver's license. People can go wild because, no matter how hard they try, they feel like a failure. Depression is a common result, explains the project.
Andrews advised families to use the "Do not argue and do not correct" approach to calm their restless family.
"If the person with dementia makes a mistake, do not argue, as long as it does not hurt him. Just change the subject or let it go, she says.
"It makes people anxious to know they're wrong – like it's a puzzle – so try simplifying life so you do not get it wrong, and if they do not, do not notice. or Stress them about it.
June is the month of Alzheimer's disease and the brain
Close family members are usually the first to notice memory problems, but they are often reluctant to say anything, noted the Alzheimer's Association. At the same time, nearly nine out of ten Americans say they want others to tell them if they show signs of dementia, the group said in a new survey.
Her new campaign, entitled "Our Stories", urges families to talk about cognitive problems sooner, which will lead to early diagnosis, which means more time for planning and better management of the disease.
The advice of the association to start a conversation are:
- Try to say, "I've noticed [an out-of-the ordinary behavior] in you, and I'm concerned. Have you noticed? Are you worried?"
- Discuss your medical appointment together: "I think we would have peace of mind if we spoke with a doctor."
- The first conversation may not be successful. Be prepared to have another one.
If you are wondering if you want to address the subject, the Alzheimer's Association also offers a list of 10 early signs and symptoms of the disease. If you notice, it's worth talking with your friend or family member.
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