Dealing with Alzheimer’s is a monumental and overwhelming task. It isn’t only challenging for the patient, but also for those caring for family members who are diagnosed with it.
Today, we found an interesting question on the Mayo Clinic’s website: if a person with a high IQ is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, does that mean a high IQ will slow down the progression of the disease?
Our initial answer was yes, as we had read somewhere that individuals with a high level of education are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. However, Dr. Glenn Smith, an Alzheimer’s specialist at Mayo Clinic, stated, “Not everyone with Alzheimer’s disease will experience the same symptoms or progress at the same rate… There’s no evidence that high IQ or advanced education increases lifespan or survival rates in people with Alzheimer’s disease.”
Too bad, because we’d gladly endure years in the classroom and earn a doctorate if it meant warding off the disease for a few more years!
It is likely that individuals worthy of Mensa accreditation and possessing advanced degrees are better equipped to deal with dementia than those with less education. Some researchers argue that higher educational attainment indicates a person has had more experience with memory and cognitive tasks, essentially “exercising” their brains through mental fitness challenges. However, advanced education could also have a downside; those with higher degrees may be more adept at masking their symptoms, resulting in a faster mental decline by the time they receive a diagnosis.
Dealing with Alzheimer’s – Understanding the Disease is Key
Anyone who has to cope with a family member suddenly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s may feel lost regarding the nature of the disease and what changes to expect in the person’s mental processes and behavior. Like cancer, a cure has yet to be found, but researchers have made some progress. There are medications that can help individuals function better at the onset of the disease.
Alzheimer’s is the primary cause of dementia, leading to a loss of intellectual and social activities. This loss is significant enough that individuals become incapable of performing their routine activities. People suffer from dementia when healthy brain tissue begins to degenerate, triggering memory loss and impaired thinking abilities.
The average age of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s is 65 and older. Currently, four million Americans have Alzheimer’s, and this number could triple by 2050 as the population ages.
Treatments are available for Alzheimer’s, allowing people to lead productive lives during the early stages of the disease. The medical community has also identified certain genes linked to the disease, enabling researchers to develop medications that may stall or block the progression of this mysterious disorder.
Those caring for Alzheimer’s patients must remember that the disease extends beyond typical forgetfulness and the occasional inability to recall past events. While normal, healthy individuals might forget where they left their purse or occasionally forget to pick up a child from daycare, consistently forgetting names of familiar people and places signals something is seriously wrong. Alzheimer’s often starts with short-term memory loss and confusion, but it progressively leads to irreversible impaired thinking, making victims incapable of reasoning, learning, imagining, and remembering.
Dealing with Alzheimer’s: Recognizing the Symptoms
The disease begins with simple forgetfulness regarding familiar people, things, and places. This forgetfulness persists and becomes more serious. An Alzheimer’s patient may fall into the habit of repeating things and forgetting appointments and conversations.
“I was beginning to worry when my mother didn’t show up on time for dinner. I had made her favorite dish and was eager to know what she thought of it. I was especially worried when she didn’t arrive by 7:00 pm, as she is always punctual. My mom and I usually have dinner once a week—she lives only about five minutes away by car. Finally, at 11:00 pm, I managed to reach her and was at my wits’ end by that point. ‘Why didn’t you call me to cancel dinner? I waited all night for you.’ All she said was she couldn’t remember where I lived. She got lost, she said.”
“Why didn’t you call me on your cell?”
“What cell?”
Another symptom is difficulty balancing a checkbook, eventually leading to not recognizing numbers and their meanings. Patients progressively become incapable of performing tasks that require a specific sequence of actions, such as baking a cake or watering plants. Loss of judgment becomes evident; for example, a person may forget to lock the doors at night or may show their bank card and wallet in public.
Alzheimer’s patients also struggle to find the right words or express themselves during conversations. They appear confused and frustrated at not being able to communicate their needs. Additionally, you may notice personality changes and sudden mood swings. They may develop a strong distrust of others—both strangers and family members—become stubborn, and withdraw socially. Common symptoms also include restlessness, depression, and even aggressive behavior.
“We were at the casino one afternoon enjoying the slot machines when we suddenly saw a man jogging past us. It turned out to be your Uncle Len. He was jogging in circles, attracting everyone’s attention. It took two of us to calm him down. Later, in the car on the way home, he took out his dentures and threatened to toss them out of the window. We had to stop the car and seat him between two other passengers.”
The progression of Alzheimer’s varies from person to person. The average survival rate is eight years from the initial diagnosis to death. While survival declines three years after diagnosis, many people can live ten years or longer with the disease. Recall the case of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.
Tips for Caregivers
Did you know that mealtimes are particularly challenging for Alzheimer’s patients? Many patients lose interest in eating properly and, in some cases, refuse to eat altogether. It is crucial for caregivers to monitor a patient’s nutrition—not because a good diet will delay progression, but because the individual needs sufficient nutrients, especially from fruits and vegetables. Proper nutrition can lead to fewer falls and a stronger immune system.
When an Alzheimer’s patient refuses to eat, check for the following:
- Ill-fitting dentures—loose dentures can make eating uncomfortable. If the teeth and wires are brushing against the tongue, patients will be reluctant to eat.
- Medical conditions—diabetes, heart problems, and stomach disorders can significantly decrease appetite, so it’s important to manage these conditions, especially in Alzheimer’s patients.
- Medication—certain types of medications may contribute to a loss of appetite. If this is the case, consult your physician, who may be able to prescribe a similar medication that doesn’t disrupt the patient’s appetite.
During mealtimes, it’s important to turn off phones, television sets, and any other noise sources, as noise can agitate those suffering from Alzheimer’s. As the disease progresses, patients may eat anything in front of them, even if it isn’t food, or may eat someone else’s food or take food directly from serving dishes. Caregivers should clear the table of distractions that may take the patient’s focus away from the meal.
You might be surprised to learn that even dinnerware patterns can distract patients. It’s best to choose solid colors. The Mayo Clinic states, “…studies have shown that people with Alzheimer’s eat as much as 25 percent more when their food is served on brightly colored plates. Bright red and bright blue plates work much better than those in pastel colors. Researchers believe it’s easier to distinguish between the plate and the food when there’s more visual contrast.”
It is also recommended to give your loved one plenty of time to finish their meal. Encourage them to chew and swallow properly. Avoid giving them nuts, popcorn, and carrots, which can become trapped in their throats. As an extra precaution, learn how to perform the Heimlich maneuver.
Think we’re kidding? Check the Mayo Clinic. You can visit their website at https://www.mayoclinic.org/.
