In this month’s column, I want to highlight the topic of dementia and the importance of making sure children understand how aging may impact their grandparents and other older adults. Dementia is defined as the loss of mental functions, such as memory, thinking and reasoning. In some cases these symptoms are severe enough to interrupt a person’s daily routine. Dementia is commonly found as an illness in older adults. Dementia is not a disease, but the symptoms are often caused by various conditions that can be linked to dementia.
For a child, seeing a loved one age can be difficult and for some younger children can be confusing. Seeing someone you know well and care for not be able to recognize you or behave in a different manner due to aging can be scary for a child.
Dementia develops when the brain is affected by a variety of infections and diseases. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), causes of dementia include reactions to medications, infections, poisoning, brain tumors, and anoxia or hypoxia, a condition in which the brain’s oxygen supply is either reduced or cut off entirely. This can lead to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease and certain types of nutritional deficiencies, like B12 and folate deficiency and types of hydrocephalus.
The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, although several others exist. This disease is a progressive disease of the brain during the early stages of memory loss. This can lead to a decrease in thinking ability, which affects a person’s decision making. The development of plaques and tangles in the brain can lead to a gradual loss of connections between brain cells and eventually cause cell death.
Talking to a child about dementia and aging should be based on the age of the child. For younger children it may be difficult to understand what is happening. In this case you may want to explain to the child that his or her grandmother or grandfather is sick and not feeling well. As a child gets older it will be easier to explain what is happening. Having an open conversation about a friend or relatives with dementia can be very helpful and a good learning opportunity.
Here are some helpful facts:
• Alzheimer’s disease usually occurs in individuals who are 60 years old and older.
• Starting at age 65, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles every five years.
• Dementia is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States among individuals who are 65 and older.
At Eskenazi Health, we have a specific program aimed at helping patients keep their brains healthy as they age. The Eskenazi Health Center Healthy Aging Brain Center (HABC) uses the ABC model of brain care, which extends the definition of a patient to include family members who enable cognitively impaired individuals to live in the community. Physicians, nurses, social workers and other staff members work closely with both the older adult and family caregivers in the exam room and in the home, as well as over the phone and via email, to deliver care to improve both brain and physical health.
For children having difficulties coping with an older adults who is aging, talking with the child’s pediatrician can often be helpful. It is important to address any struggles that a child is going through quickly. This is a common issue many children face and can be a very good learning experience.
Nydia Nuñez-Estrada, M.D.
Family Medicine
Eskenazi Health Center North Arlington