Today
Denial of Short-Term Memory Loss: Common Problem Preventing Early Treatment of Alzheimer's
by Jacqueline Marcell
Posted August 20, 2007 7:16 AM
Posted August 20, 2007 7:16 AM
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Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com
Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving
Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME!
WELCOME BACK ALL MY CAREGIVERS—Tell us your story!
After years of advocating about the importance of early diagnosis of any type of dementia (Alzheimer's is one type), I would have to say that denial is still the biggest factor in preventing early diagnosis and treatment.
Even my own friends, who have endured my harping for years about getting their parents evaluated at the first signs of short-term memory loss, seem to procrastinate and wait until a crisis.
I couldn't understand how denial could be so prevalent and why anyone would want to wait, since there are medications that can slow dementia down and mask the symptoms. That is huge--because it buys some more independent time and it gives medical science more time to come up with better medications to delay further-or maybe even a cure.
But then I started to understand denial very well when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, as I just couldn't believe it was happening to me. After a double mastectomy with numerous complications, I endured six months of dense-dose chemotherapy and started to experience my own intermittent short-term memory loss. It was really scary, especially the time I discovered I'd left the stove on and had no memory of doing so. I kept saying that it must have just been a fluke, as I had never done that before. I called my doctor, who assured me it was simply "chemo brain", which I had mistakenly assumed was a myth.
During this time, I had eight speaking engagements already booked and am very glad I did--as that gave me a reason to get out of bed and keep going. My doctor cautioned that I was taking a huge risk traveling because my immune system was so compromised. If I got sick I'd have to delay treatment, giving the cancer more time to grow. I assured him I would be very careful, and always wore a mask on the planes--which worked like a charm to keep the seats near me vacant!
It was hard, but I traveled with medication (packed in ice) to inject myself with to keep my blood count up. I also used a hand-sanitizer constantly and didn't shake hands or hug anyone, saying I was just getting over a cold and didn't want to spread it.
Then, as I delivered a keynote address before a large crowd at an Alzheimer's conference, I completely lost my train-of-thought about what I was just saying and could not remember the point I was about to make. Luckily, I switched to another topic and the audience didn't appear to notice anything, or maybe they were just being polite. It was then that the irony smacked me square in the face. I thought, "Here I am, speaking about short-term memory loss... and...I HAVE IT!"
The experience actually turned out to be immensely valuable in giving me insight into my work, because I really KNOW how upsetting and terrifying it is to not have any memory of something you just did or said.
My denial went away completely when I left my stove on for the fourth time, as I just could not fathom how I had done it AGAIN. I had been saved a crisis one more time and decided not to press my luck. I covered the stove with a big sign that said, "You are not competent to use this yet!" The microwave became very handy and I bought an electric teakettle that automatically turned off. I also put a check off list by my front door of everything I needed to check before I went anywhere.
I believe I was able to get through my ordeal because my doctor often assured me that my "chemo brain" would gradually go away after treatment, which it did. But what about the five million victims of Alzheimer's Disease, whose short-term memory is not going to come back and is only going to get worse? And what about the millions more (and their families) who are in denial that short-term memory loss is even anything to worry about and are just chalking it up to aging?
THE ANSWER
Since one out of eight persons will get dementia by the age of 65, and nearly 50% are afflicted by age 85--the answer is to make evaluations for dementia a standard part of yearly physicals starting at age 60. By having this baseline and yearly tests to compare to, millions could be diagnosed and treated so much earlier, live independently longer, and reduce the enormous strain on our healthcare system, not to mention on all their friends and heart-broken families.
TEN WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER'S
(Reprinted with permission of the Alzheimer's Association)
1. Memory loss
2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks
3. Problems with language
4. Disorientation of time and place
5. Poor or decreased judgment
6. Problems with abstract thinking
7. Misplacing things
8. Changes in mood or behavior
9. Changes in personality
10. Loss of initiative
Expanded Descriptions: http://www.elderrage.com/alzheimers.asp
Author Elder Rage www.ElderRage.com
Host Coping With Caregiving Radio Show www.wsRadio.com/CopingWithCaregiving
Jacqueline's Lecture on CD; 12 Experts; 14/hrs. of Help--ASK ME!
Tell us your story!
Comments
Have something to say? Share your thoughts.
Posted August 21, 2007 6:19 AM
Hey Ann, Dense-Dose Chemotherapy is given every other week, instead of three weeks between treatments. So you just start to feel better and almost normal, and BOOM, you get it again. The theory is (if your body can rebuild fast enough between treatments) the cancer has less time to start to grow back.
Posted September 1, 2007 4:03 PM
As your article states, self-denial can certainly lead to more problems by putting off treatment from a health care professional. There is also denial from family members that your loved one might have Alzheimer's disease. A spouse or adult children want their loved one to always be healthy and vibrant. We often do not want to think our spouse, sibling or parent is changing; their memory is not as good as it used to be or they can't perform some fairly simple activities such as paying bills. We want them to stay the same the rest of our lives and sometimes we ignore or block out some of these changes in their behavior. It is important that family members speak up and take a proactive approach to changes in their loved one's behavior. Talk to your loved one, let them know you are there to support them and help them. Encourage them to talk to health care professionals as soon as possible to get help and advice. We will all go through health care changes in our lives and it is important that we speak up and realize that avoiding action because we don't want to see our parent or spouse or sibling change will only make matters worse.
Posted September 1, 2007 4:51 PM
I appreciate the article on denial and agree with comments. Would add that it's extremely important to be keeping up communication with parents while they are healthy - building up trust so they feel free to tell you when something is wrong.
Arloa
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