NewsLine - May 2013 - (Page 21)
DIFFEREnTIATInG
DEMEnTIAS
By Lena Smith, PhD
As the baby boomers age and
enter the cohorts of senior
Americans, we see the general
media focusing more on elder
health and other aging issues.
For the aging issue of dementia,
it has helped tremendously in
the last number of years that
famous names and their families,
such as Maria Shriver, Ronald
and Nancy Reagan, and Glen
Campbell, have told their stories
of living and coping with this
disease. Yet for the general public,
the very notion of dementia—
especially Alzheimer’s—creates
understandable anxiety.
Overwhelmingly, people want to
live a long life if there is quality
in that longevity, but living with
dementia can make this more
difficult. The options for treatment
are limited and the fuller
explanation of why the incidence
of dementia increases with age is
still not fully understood.
So it’s helpful for families to learn
more about the varying types of
dementia as they seek support in
strategies to cope.
As healthcare practitioners, we
are learning new information
every day and continue to hope
for more options for the relief
of pain and distress that this
devastating disease often causes.
In this article, I share some of
the key information we now
know. Because, as Hippocrates
suggested, we can’t always cure,
but we can comfort.
First, An Overview
Broadly defined, dementia is a
syndrome of acquired intellectual
impairment produced by brain
dysfunction.1 According to
the 2012 World Alzheimer’s
Report, there are over 36 million
people living with a dementia
worldwide—and the numbers are
growing. Unless there is a cure or
a treatment that delays the onset
or progression, it is estimated that
there will be 646 million new
cases in the next 40 years.2
Developing
dementia roughly
doubles every five
years after age 65.
Dementia predominately affects
older people, and the likelihood
of developing dementia roughly
doubles every five years after the
age of 65. Consequently, persons
over the age of 85 are considered
to be at highest risk. The overall
incidence and prevalence of all the
continued on next page
NewsLine
21
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NewsLine - May 2013
Increasing Your Direct-from-Family Referrals
A Message From Don
Lighthouse of Hope Fund
The Advantages of Mobile Technology at the Bedside
Simione Consulting (display ad)
Revised State Hospice Profiles (display ad)
Dementia: A Closer Look
Differentiating Dementias
Spiritual Care for Patients With Dementia
NHF Gala Sponsors (display ad)
Make an Impact: African PC Nursing Scholarship (display ad)
ehospice USA Unveiled
Host a Screening of “Honor Flight, the Movie”
Two New Reports to Help You Evaluate Your Operations
New Report Released on Inpatient Hospital Deaths
Compliance Tip
New Online Courses from NHPCO’s E-OL
Videos Worth Watching
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