Do you know the difference between them?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a number of brain disorders resulting in a loss of brain function. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia.
- In the UK over 850,000 people suffer with dementia
- 62% of these are diagnosed with Alzheimer's
- This is forecast to increase to over 1 million by 2025
- Two-thirds of the cost is paid by the person and their families
DEMENTIA & ALZHEIMER'S - EXPLAINED
Many people are confused regarding these conditions.
ALZHEIMER'S:
This disease is a progressive mental deterioration that can occur in middle or old age, due to generalised degeneration of the brain. It is the commonest cause of premature senility.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. The word ‘dementia’ describes a set of symptoms that can include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language.
These symptoms occur when the brain is damaged by certain diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. As this is a progressive disease that means gradually, over time, more parts of the brain are damaged. As this happens, more symptoms develop and also become more severe and will start to include memory loss, problems with communication, reasoning and orientation.
DEMENTIA:
Many people become forgetful as they grow older. This is common and is often not due to dementia. There are also other disorders such as depression and an under active thyroid that can cause memory problems. Dementia is the most serious form of memory problem. It causes a loss of mental ability and other symptoms and can be caused by various disorders which affect parts of the brain involved with thought processes. This could include:
- Alzheimer’s Disease - Slow progressive mental disorder
- Vascular Dementia - This is an umbrella term that describes impairments in cognitive function caused by problems in the blood vessels that feed the brain.
- Creutzfelt-Jakob Disease (CJD) - This is a rare, degenerative, invariably fatal brain disorder
- Dementia with Lewy Bodies - One of the most common types of progressive dementia
- Frontotemporal Dementia - This is an umbrella for a diverse group of rare disorders that primarily affect the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain – these are the areas generally associated with personality and behaviour
- Huntingdon’s Disease - Results from genetically programmed degeneration of brain cells, called neurons, in certain areas of the brain
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus - Also known as ‘water on the brain’ which means too much fluid pressing on the brain
- Parkinson’s Disease - This is a group of conditions called motor system disorders which result in the loss of dopamine-producing cells, which result in developing dementia
- Wernick-Korsakoff Syndrome - Brain disorder involving loss of specific brain functions caused by a thiamine deficiency.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MUSIC!
Music has been known to affect those with dementia and Alzheimer’s, but why it has an effect on these patients has not always been clear – until now.
- Music evokes emotions that brings memories
- Musical aptitude and appreciation are two of the last remaining abilities in dementia patients.
- Music can bring emotional and physical closeness.
- Singing is engaging.
- Music can shift mood, manage stress and stimulate positive interactions.
The message is: do not give up on these men and women. You want to be performing things that engage them, and singing is cheap, effortless and engaging.
Getting a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s to engage with music and movies may depend on which type they enjoy the most. But the suggestions below can help you get started:
- The Sound of Music
- When You Wish Upon a Star (from Pinocchio)
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow (from The Wizard of Oz)
