Alzheimers Disease and
Dementia
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THIS BOOKLET HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO
MAKE YOU THINK TWICE ABOUT HOW YOU VIEW PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMERS
DISEASE AND DEMENTIA |
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The campaign to increase the
understanding of mental health problems and reduce their [stigma]
and discrimination.
Dementia is a devastating disease.
It robs you of all your faculties. They say it is like a second
childhood. But it isn't.
A child is a developing person. A
man with dementia is a disintegrating person. He was a man. He
lived alone. He had a family, a wife, children. He was gay. He was
black. He was white. He was a successful businessman. He was
someone who didn't do what he wanted.
He spent his adult life getting
washed, dressed, going to the toilet, shaving, eating. He could
speak. He could laugh at a joke. He could look after himself.
Now, bit by bit he slides into
dependence. It is not childlike. The infant takes her care for
granted. He fights against his. The baby loves having her nappy
changed. His incontinence pad shames him. The toddler gladly takes
the other's hand. He cannot abide being lead from place to place.
Or if he can, you cannot bear to see it.
You cannot bear to see the man who
walked with you through the park becoming someone who no longer
knows what a park is.
The change comes slowly. Who is to
say that this is the moment at which you stop seeing him as
himself? He loses his dignity when you stop treating him with
dignity.
1. Alzheimer's Disease and
Dementia
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When he was 40 this man said that if he ever ended up like
this he should be taken out and shot. Now he's 70 and he can't
remember being 40. On a good day he can still recognise his
daughter.
She can recognise him every day. He is not the man he was. But
parts of him are still there. His particular frown. The way he
folds his handkerchief. His delight when he hears the birds
sing.
When a person can't remember or do the things he used to do,
he is like a different person. If he also acts differently you
might say he is not the man he was. But that depends on what makes
him the man he is.
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2. Alzheimer's Disease and
Dementia
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Grandpa used to be a wonderful storyteller. Now he doesn’t
talk much at all. He tries to sometimes, but the words don’t come
out right. Then he talks louder and shouts and points with his
hand. Sometimes he cries.
There are many sorts of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.
They all affect the brain. Gradually the person loses his memory.
He can’t do the things he used to. In the end he cannot
speak.
This doesn’t happen overnight. It happens gradually, bit by
bit. In the middle of it is a person who knows he is losing his
mind, his independence, and his place in the world. Alongside him
is his family, who know they are losing him. Just because he cannot
speak, it does not mean he cannot understand.
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3. Alzheimer's Disease and
Dementia
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He used to be an angry young man but now he's an angry old
one. He was quite a sight in those days - printing pamphlets,
shouting from the platform, struggling with the police. He was a
leader of the student revolution. They took notice of him then. Now
they only pay attention when he threatens the nurse with his
stick.
Dementia affects the brain. The person gradually loses his
intelligence, his memory and his personality. Some go quietly,
others rebel. They can shout or swear or even strike out. This is
distressing for people close to them.
But for the man himself? Perhaps it is better than being
invisible.
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4. Alzheimer's Disease and
Dementia
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In the war this woman was a land girl in Norfolk. Now she
keeps trying to go back to the farm, but it isn’t there any
more.
People with dementia become muddled. They forget where they
are. They may act as if they are somewhere else. They may not know
what time it is. They may mix up night and day. They can wander out
of their houses in the small hours believing it is time to go
shopping.
This woman is confused. She is losing contact with the
present. The past has become more real. The future remains
unknown.
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5. Alzheimer's Disease and
Dementia
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If your mind goes do you go with it?
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FACTS ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S
DISEASE AND DEMENTIA
What is
dementia?
Dementia is an illness which causes
changes in a person's memory, intellect and personality. The
illness usually starts gradually, with deterioration occurring over
several years. Later there may be other problems such as changes in
behaviour, including wandering and personal neglect. Thinking and
speech become restricted. Physical health problems may develop and
a person can often become bedridden and incontinent. Most people
with dementia continue to live at home.
Who gets
dementia?
Dementia usually affects people over
65 years old. About one in five people over 80 have the illness.
More rarely people under 65 have dementia. With increasing life
expectancy, dementia is becoming more common. It affects both men
and women.
What causes
dementia?
The most common type of dementia is
Alzheimer's disease. We do not know what causes this illness. A
number of changes occur in the structure and functioning of the
brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. Sometimes Alzheimer's
disease seems to run in families. It is more common in people with
Down's syndrome. Other factors which may increase the risk of
dementia include severe head injury, high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, heavy drinking and being
overweight. Dementia can also be caused by a series of mini-strokes
(called multi-infarct dementia). More rarely, dementia can result
from other causes such as infection (including AIDS), dietary
neglect, alcohol, damage to the brain through boxing or a brain
tumour.
What treatments are
available?
Some mental health professionals -
including doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists and
occupational therapists - work in multidisciplinary teams with a
special expertise in the problems of older age. The team may need
to investigate any physical disorders and to assess a person's
social, psychological and living skills. A full mental health
assessment helps the members of the team to understand the nature
of a person's problems and to plan treatment.
The aim of treatment is to try and
maintain a person's quality of life for as long as possible. It is
likely to involve a number of approaches - both medical and other
more practical interventions. Regular health checks and keeping as
fit as possible will help reduce the speed of physical
deterioration.
Drug treatment may occasionally be
useful, for example, regular aspirin can help if the dementia is
caused by someone having a series of small strokes. New drugs can
improve the way people think in the early stages of the illness. We
don’t yet know whether they delay deterioration long term.
Self-help techniques such as writing
notes of things to do, keeping a diary and ‘exercising the brain’
can help with managing memory problems. People with dementia
generally function better in a familiar environment, such as their
home, than in an institution. They may need extra support to
continue living at home. Family members and other carers need
emotional support, practical help and information about the
illness.
The family doctor and other members
of the general practice may also be involved in the treatment
plan.
What can society
do?
Public education can help us to have
a better understanding of the nature of dementia and Alzheimer’s
disease. With this understanding should come increased tolerance.
We can respect the dignity and recognise the existing skills of
people with dementia. We can offer more assistance, through both
emotional support and appropriate financial help, to families
caring for someone at home. If this is no longer possible, we can
provide good quality residential and nursing homes.
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Further reading
All About Dementia.
Mental Health Foundation, London Office
9th Floor
Sea Containers House
20 Upper Ground
London, SE1 9QB
Tel: 020 7803 1100
Fax: 020 7803 1111. www.mentalhealth.org.uk
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Helpful Organisations
Alzheimer's Society
Devon House,
58 St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1JX
Helpline: 0845 300 0336.
.Alzheimer's Society is a membership organisation, which works
to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Many of our 25,000 members have
personal experience of dementia, as carers, health professionals or
people with dementia themselves, and their experiences help to
inform our work.
Age Concern
Age Concern England
Astral House
1268 London Road
London SW16 4ER
Free helpline: 0800 00 99 66
Provides information and advice for older people and their
carers.
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Alzheimer Society of Ireland National
Office
Temple Road
Blackrock
Provides information and practical help to the carers of
Alzheimer's disease victims and their families
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All subjects in photographs are posed
by models
Photography by Vaughan Melzer
Last update: June 2009 |
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dr V Y
Allison-Bolger and Dr R L Ramsay for their tremendous help in
writing these booklets and factsheets. Our thanks also go to the
Campaign Management Committee and to the members of the College
Faculties and Sections who have generously given their advice and
help.
Professor Arthur Crisp
Chairman,
Changing Minds Campaign Management Committee
Please note that we are unable to offer advice on individual cases. Please see our FAQ for advice on getting help.
 
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