Fact or Fiction? 5 Alzheimer's Myths Debunked

October 26th, 2016 by admin

Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are often shrouded in fear and mystery, and so much remains unknown about the causes of these conditions; one thing we do know quite a bit about is Alzheimer's effect on the brain and how to create an effective care plan for dementia.

If you are currently caring for someone with dementia, you're likely already familiar with the emotional and physical impact the disease can have on both yourself and your loved one. That's one of the reasons that many patients are able to be calmer and clearer in memory care homes. Many assisted living facilities also have these memory care homes, where skilled caregivers are able to more effectively communicate with patients and educate their families on how to better enjoy time together.

Despite everything we currently know about Alzheimer's, there are still many falsehoods and rumors surrounding the condition. We've compiled five of these popular myths to debunk them once and for all.

• Alzheimer's occurs only in older people

  Although the majority of those who receive dementia care are aged 65 and older, about 5% of those with Alzheimer's start experiencing symptoms much earlier. Early-onset Alzheimer's can occur during someone's 30s, 40s, or 50s. Patients with early-onset Alzheimer's often are not diagnosed for a long time, because most physicians don't think of it as a viable possibility. More than likely, doctors will attribute their symptoms to stress, and so these patients don't receive assistance from caregivers or memory care homes.

• Memory loss is normal in old age

  While it is true that we lose some memory cells as we age, forgetting significant memories is not normal. Not only that, but Alzheimer's has many other symptoms besides memory loss. Forgetting the name of someone you just met can be chalked up to forgetfulness at any age; forgetting the route to the home you've lived in for 40 years may suggest more serious.

• There are treatments that can stop the disease

  unfortunately, there are currently no medications or treatments that will slow down, cure, or stop dementia. However, there are medications that can relieve some of the symptoms patients will experience. Treatments can help with memory, cognitive processing, language, and behavior, but they don't work for everyone and relief is typically temporary; however, when you combine these medications with the assistance that the staff at memory care homes can provide, patients will stress less and can participate in daily activities they enjoy.

• Alzheimer's can be caused by flu shots or aspartame

  You might have heard rumors that Alzheimer's may be caused by anything from artificial sweetener and flu vaccines to dental fillings and aluminum foil. The truth is that no evidence has ever been shown to back these claims. In fact, getting a flu shot may actually lower your risk of developing Alzheimer's. Even though there's still so much we don't know about the development of Alzheimer's, you don't need to abstain from your yearly flu shot or drinking a soda pop because you think it'll lower your dementia risk factor.

• If no one in my family has Alzheimer's, I won't develop it

  Experts do think that Alzheimer's probably has some genetic connection, but it's most likely a combination of genetics, environment, and lifestyle. One thing we do know is that almost two-thirds of American Alzheimer's patients are women. Females are more likely to develop the disease, even if no one in your family has developed it to your knowledge. Physicians suggest that staying physically and mentally active can help, as can keeping your blood pressure and glucose in optimal ranges. If you eat healthy, get a good night's rest, and stay at an optimal weight, you'll lower your chances even further. Anything you can do to lower your risk -- even with no known genetic predisposition -- will most likely help you in the long term.

If you want to find out more about memory care homes and dementia caregivers in Harrisonburg, VA, please contact us today. Posted in: Blog