Assess your risk during National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
Mahaska Health Partnership
OSKALOOSA – In recognition of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Mahaska Health Partnership geriatric psychiatry unit, Vision Quest, encourages the public to assess their risk.
“The greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is increasing age,” MHP Director of Vision Quest Lisa Cox, RN, said. “Most people with the disease are over the age of 65; although sometimes younger-onset can occur. Other risk factors include family history and genetics.”
According to the National Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal brain disorder that destroys brain cells. The damage can cause memory loss, problems with thinking and changes in behavior. The association estimates that 5.3 million Americans are living with the disease, now ranked as the 7th leading cause of death.
“Sometimes the symptoms of Alzheimer’s are referred to as dementia,” Cox explained. “While there are different types of dementia, Alzheimer’s accounts for 50 to 80 percent of cases.”
The Alzheimer’s Association stresses early detection because, although there is no cure for the disease, some symptoms can be treated. The top 10 early detection signs the association notes include:
- Memory changes that disrupt daily life
- Challenges in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or leisure
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
- New 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 and personality
“If a family starts to notice any of these changes in a loved one, it is important to contact your doctor because there are resources available to help relieve some of the stress for the caregiver,” Cox said.
If a loved one is suspected of showing signs of dementia, a free pre-screening assessment at Vision Quest may be helpful. “Our role is to assess the patient’s condition to determine if a stay at Vision Quest may help them and their families adjust to their new situation,” Cox explained.
“When we are treating a patient, many techniques are employed including individual, group and family therapy. Topics such as psychotherapy, medication education and therapeutic exercises are covered in addition to many others.
“Our goal is to create the best possible personalized care plan for our patients, with the involvement of their family and caregivers, so everyone can achieve their best possible quality of life.”
For more information about how Vision Quest is making healthcare personal, call 672-3277 or visit mahaskahealth.org.
