UAMS Hosts Lecture on Warning Signs of Dementia
| The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) recently hosted a virtual lecture that focused on the warning signs of dementia and offered suggestions on the next steps for people who recognize those symptoms in themselves or others.
The Nov. 12 lecture was the second in a four-part series titled “The Dementia Care Connection: Insights for Families and Frontlines,” which provides health care professionals, caregivers and community members with real-world strategies for supporting people who are living with memory loss. The UAMS Center on Aging-Northeast in Jonesboro, a program that’s part of the UAMS Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, organized the series in partnership with the Arkansas chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Courtney Ghormley, Ph.D., geropsychologist at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, served as the event’s guest speaker. She began by outlining the Alzheimer’s Association’s list of “10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” which are:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- Problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgment
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood or personality
Ghormley emphasized that older adults don’t need to feel concerned about an occasional mental error. Everyone loses their keys or forgets about an appointment, she said, adding that those lapses are a normal part of aging.
But if a person experiences worsening symptoms or struggles with several cognitive issues at a time, then it might be an indicator of a more significant condition, she said.
“If, for example, you’re seeing changes in mood or personality and frequent difficulties with memory and misplacing objects, then these are signs that you should definitely pay attention to,” she said.
Ghormley said anyone who is showing signs of dementia should meet with their primary care physician to discuss the changes in their cognitive state and to decide whether they should see a specialist for further evaluation. A physician can also examine whether these changes stem from reversible issues such as infections, metabolic conditions or adverse reactions to medication.
“We really want to rule out anything other than dementia that might be causing these symptoms,” she said.
For those who are diagnosed with some form of dementia, early detection is critical, Ghormley said. While recently approved Alzheimer’s drugs are able to slow the progression of the disease, those treatments are only effective for patients with mild cognitive impairment, she said.
Ghormley concluded the lecture by highlighting some of the resources available for Arkansans who would like to learn more about living with dementia or caring for loved ones who do. The UAMS Centers on Aging operates in eight locations across the state, striving to improve health outcomes for patients in all 75 counties. The Alzheimer’s Association has a 24-hour help line, which can be reached at 800-272-3900, to answer questions and connect callers with support programs in their communities.
The remaining topics in “The Dementia Care Connection” series are:
- Feb. 11, “More Than Words: Person-Centered Strategies for Dementia Communication and Behavior”
- June 10, “The Dementia Journey: Where to Turn for Help and Support”
Those who are interested in attending the virtual lectures can register here.