MUST READS

A March 9, 2020 Times Record News article gave specific advice for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and dementia to help keep their loved ones safe from undue exposure to COVID-19. Even simple things like disclosure of information and hand washing for prevention need special attention for people with dementia. According to the article, “Dementia patients respond to sensory experiences, so choose a soap with a distinct fragrance, such as lavender. Also make sure supplies are easy to use: tissues, wipes and hand-sanitizers.”

A March 8, 2020 KSL News article looked at the potential for polypharmacy (simultaneous use of multiple drugs to treat single ailment or condition) to mimic dementia in the elderly. 41% of people over 65 use five or more prescription medicines and the risk of side effects or interactions rises with the number of pills. Doctors have started “de-prescribing” medicines where risks may outweigh benefits for older people. According to the article, “The list includes certain types of muscle relaxants, antihistamines, allergy medicines, stomach acid remedies, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicines, pain relievers, sleep aids and other common treatments. Many of these drugs have anticholinergic effects… that can cause drowsiness, confusion, blurred vision, dizziness and other symptoms that impair thinking skills.”

RESEARCH AND SCIENCE

According to a March 6, 2020 Medical News Today article, a new study found that measuring iron deposits in the brain can help to track the progression of dementia in people with Parkinson’s disease earlier and more accurately than current methods. Up to half of people with Parkinson’s have dementia. Present scanning techniques can only detect such changes late in the disease, but University College London (UCL), Queen Square Institute of Neurology researchers used quantitative susceptibility mapping, a new method utilizing magnetic resonance imaging. According to the article, “They found that people who had higher amounts of iron in their brains performed worse in their thinking, memory, and motor functions, depending on the location of the iron buildup.”

CAREGIVING CORNER

A March 4, 2020 Psychology Today article focused on why people with dementia can become suddenly aggressive and best practices for handling it. The damage to the front part of the brain, found especially in people with vascular dementia, may lower inhibitions and allow for inappropriate actions, words and behaviors they would not normally exhibit. These types of behaviors can lead to serious safety consequences. According to the article, “Many individuals with dementia have both apathy and difficulty controlling impulses. They may be completely content sitting in a chair for hours, but if you want them to do something different—such as go to the bathroom to prevent an accident, get dressed to go to an appointment, brush their teeth, bathe, or get out of the car after it is parked—not only can they willfully resist but they may suddenly become violent with little warning.”