Sixtysomething_S2_Ep14_Dementia

Sixtysomething_S2_Ep14_Dementia

[00:00:00] GTS: Hello, dear listeners. And welcome back to another episode of 60 something. I'm grace, your host, and I'm so glad you're here. Before we get into today's topic. I'm going to share something with you. Those of you who are in the Facebook group may know. That I recently returned from a trip to Oregon visiting my son and his family.

And also my number two son. Was there also have four sons and a daughter. We went to watch one of my granddaughters in a high school place. She was in Mean Girls.

It should have been a wonderful time. It was a good time. But I kind of ruined it and I'm going to tell you what I did. It's something I've done hundreds, if not thousands of times in my 66 plus years. [00:01:00] I stay up all night. And. Often, well, almost always before I take a trip. And up until now, it's worked out.

Every once in a while. I will get sick as a result. But usually I'm just crabby. And once I get a good night's sleep. I'm pretty much. Okay. The next day. Lately, however. When I don't get enough sleep. And I don't really do it on purpose. Sometimes I just have insomnia. Not even going anywhere. But. When it happens, I can. Take a nap and have a easy quiet day and recover.

If I'm at home. But lately, even if I am. I've noticed it takes me two or three days. To recharge my batteries. That's what it feels like. [00:02:00] Anyway. I went on this trip. And I had two hours of sleep. And when I got there, I was okay for a few hours, but then the, just the weariness, the utter exhaustion started dragging me down. And honestly, even after 10 hours of sleep that night, I could barely function. I did have to walk up. A double flight of stairs.

They have a two-story house and the bed. I was sleeping in and where my clothes were. That was upstairs. Didn't help anything. My whole body just hurt everything that is a minor ache or pain on a regular day. Was much more pronounced. My hands hurt my back, hurt my feet hurt. I was trying to hide it all because I didn't want my kids to worry about me or ruin our time together or even worse. Appear like I'd [00:03:00] rounded the bend into old lady hood. That was probably part of the struggle I was. Putting on an act, trying to be sociable. When all I really wanted to do all I felt capable of doing was lie down. I come from what I suspect is a long line of night owls and insomniacs and a couple of my kids also have what I now know. To be disordered sleep. We just have trouble going to sleep when there are so many interesting things to do. My mom was always liked that to the extreme. This lady drank something like seven pots of coffee for most of her life. It pretty much ended. Uh, in our last five years, I'd say. But this staying up late is going to end in mind too, as much as I can help it. One of the things that I do that [00:04:00] causes this is use any trip I'm going on. As a sort of deadline to complete certain projects. And this key case in this case, I probably had three projects.

Number one, I was finishing, organizing my garage and I was about. Two thirds of the way done with that second was getting my house in order. I had a bunch of stuff in the hallway and. My office was a little messy. I wanted all of that organized and I did accomplish. Those first two things. Third. I had some podcast related stuff like social media. Promotional things I wanted to get done.

I didn't do that. I couldn't get to it. But even. So I went to bed at 2:30 AM and I had to get up at four 30 because I had to be at the airport. By six 30. [00:05:00] And it almost killed me. I'm still recovering. I came home, basically sick, but I slept most of the first day and then slept all night. And have just been taking it easy all week, which is the reason that this podcast is a little bit late. I've been recharging my batteries and renewing my energy and. I thank God that I can still do that.

It's still works. My concern is that if I don't stop. Doing this. The day's going to come when I can't recharge. Or it takes not three days, but three weeks. This happened when I got COVID last year. I was sick for a week. I took the Paxlovid. Which made me sick for another week because I relapsed. And then it was another three weeks until I felt like myself again. Seriously.

I went to [00:06:00] Hawaii with Aaron and we both got COVID on the way home on September 30th. And it was Thanksgiving before I got my mojo back. Felt back to normal. That wasn't sleep related, but. My fear is. That could become my recovery period. After these sleep deprivation episodes. And I just do not want that. So. I thinI'veuh, finally learned this lesson. I will have insomnia now.

And then there's just. No way around it, but I've promised myself that I will not push myself. Into the wee hours. And get little to no sleep anymore. I can't do it. I can't function. It's extremely harmful to my health. I can feel it. That part of my life is over. Won't be easy, but there's no alternative. [00:07:00] So wish me luck. Anyway, that's what's been going on with me. No holiday preparations as of yet, but. I've got to get on that ASAP. Now that I'm feeling. Mostly back to normal. Uh, what did tale of woe for you and actually a good lead in for this episode's subject of dementia because disordered sleep. Can increase your vulnerability. To getting dementia.

So let's get into it. You may recall that this episode is a follow-up to last week's episode about the Netflix show. A man on the inside, which broached this. Subject. That. May preoccupy us quite a bit in our sixties, especially for various reasons. Dementia. [00:08:00] Whether you're personally affected caring for a loved one. Or simply seeking to understand more about it. This episode aims to shed light on the complexities of dementia. It's early signs. Ways we can support those living with it and medical advances in the field.

Now my experience with dementia is limited. My father-in-law and stepmother and law. Both had dementia toward the end of their lives. It's interesting. Sometimes it was problematic and manifested in ways that caused trouble. But in certain other aspects, the changes improved our relationship. Let me explain.

When my father-in-law Bob. Who was a rather neurotic man. Turned 90. It became clear that he couldn't live [00:09:00] at home on his own anymore. Just a little. More background on Bob. I knew him for about 30 years. And he was a ladies man of the highest order, the most charming man you'd ever meet. And so smart. He had to drop out of grade school because his father disappeared and Bob had to help support his family. But this man was so well-informed so well read. Just fascinating.

And his personality was simply unforgettable. His. Main wife. He had four wives total. She died fairly early on. She was the mother of his three children. And I would say the love of his life, Jackie. She died in her early seventies. And so he lived alone. For the next 20 years. Except for a few years with his grown middle [00:10:00] son. Who did eventually move out

About 15 years. Into being a widower. He did get rather mean girlfriend, a British lady who picked him up in the grocery store. They were together on and off for about five years until she moved away at his bidding to live closer to her daughters. I think he was tired of. Her, she was demanding. But this is when the dementia. Began with him. The first thing that happened. Was that he told us that he had a new girlfriend. And we met when we met her. Turned out.

She was a gal who was about 30 years younger than he was. His sons were quite suspicious of the whole thing. And it turned out that he had [00:11:00] hired her to be sort of a caretaker for him. Because he was losing some ability to function and he didn't want anyone to know. It all became too much for Trish, this lady.

And she told. His sons. That they needed to find him full-time care. So Aaron and his brothers put their heads together. And they found a really wonderful retirement community for him. He wasn't happy about it. At this point in time, he was a little bit confused. When he moved into the retirement community, his confusion. Became hostile. And delusional. The staff called it the sundown effect.

They explained that in the evening hours, people with dementia. Have disturbing thoughts and make accusations that. [00:12:00] Aren't. Based in reality, for example, he told the staff there that Aaron, my husband, his son, was trying to kill him. Nothing could be further from the truth. Aaron was the one who made all of these arrangements and tried to make him as comfortable as possible. So it did seem that Bob at this time was in the throes of dementia. And in his first month. At the community. He was very depressed when we would visit him, which we did frequently. He slept a lot.

He lost interest in the things that had always been passions of his, like reading the news, the newspaper daily cover to cover. And watching all of his favorite shows on TV. He gradually. Lost interest completely. And then one day I went to visit him in the middle of the day and discovered him in the [00:13:00] company. Of this rather gorgeous blonde. Who seemed much younger than the people who lived in the place, but who was indeed a resident. She told me that they were so glad that I came because I could take them to the bank. This had me a little worried because Bob didn't even have a bank account anymore at this point. I thought perhaps he told her he had money and she was some sort of scammer or junior scammer who wanted him to take her, buy her some things or give her some money. It would have been just like him to promise those things. But this wasn't the case.

It turned out she had much more money than he did. They just fell in love with each other. And everything changed. They spent all of their time together. When we would go and take him out for lunch or coffee every weekend. Now [00:14:00] they were a couple and she went too. And in a sense, his dementia seemed to lift. He didn't make those accusations anymore.

And his neuroses seem to have disappeared. He was just happy. Alert aware. Conversational. Just happy. And very much in love with this lady. Her name was Joan and she had an interesting past. What she remembered of it, which wasn't a lot, she'd been married four or five times and she had once been a stripper.

There were pictures. And then a dancer in Las Vegas. She had even been in the Palm Springs, Follies, not that long ago. She still was a long legged, buxom blonde woman who just happened to be in her late seventies. She was a dance instructor at the [00:15:00] retirement community. She always wore stilettos. Unless she had her tap shoes on. She was always dressed to the nines too. She and Bob would sing to each other. It was quite wonderful being with them. Although Joan also had dementia and most of the time. She was very repetitive. She would tell you the same four stories again and again.

And she would ask where her purse was 25 times when we would be having lunch. And it was right there on the chair right next to her. But for several years. They were. Blissful. We saw them every weekend. We took them to lunch or had them over and it was delightful. Eventually they even got married. The ceremony was at the retirement community and all were invited to the reception, our entire [00:16:00] family attended. And we went out for a beautiful family dinner that evening. The local TV news even covered it. Toward the end though.

They both got worse, particularly Bob, he got to the point where he was. Having difficulty.

With just about everything he needed, help eating. He couldn't walk. Usually seemed out of it. We didn't get to see his personality much anymore. But every once in a while, he'd break into song. He just didn't remember the lyrics perfectly the way he always used to.

Finally, he died in his sleep. Joan. Didn't remember who he was by the time we went back to see her in the afternoon. Even when I showed her his picture. She said, I've never seen that man before in my life. [00:17:00] Kind of heartbreaking, but maybe for the best. COVID was about to break out and we decided it would be best if she came to live with us. By that time, just a few weeks after Bob's death. She was communicating less.

Occasionally you could talk to her, but mostly she was dozing or just inside of herself or too confused, to have. Any kind of conversation. She didn't last very long after he died. Just a few months. Of course, we miss them to this day. I especially miss Bob. My second father, my most unforgettable character. So. That's my experience with dementia.

Very limited. Neither of my late parents had dementia. Which was a blessing. Yeah, I actually don't know a whole lot about it. One of the reasons I wanted to do [00:18:00] this podcast on this subject was so I can learn more. We can learn more together. Honestly, I think about it quite often. Pretty much every time I forget something, I think about dementia and wonder. If I'm getting it, whether I will get it.

What I'm going to do, what it will be like when it begins. I don't like thinking about this at all. But I read an article. I think it was last week in the news and it was comprehensive and it made me feel a little bit better to know more about it. And I think it's important that we do know about it, especially in our sixties and beyond. Living in denial about something that you fear is not a good idea. And being superstitious about it is even more foolish.

And I confess. I'm guilty of both. So with this podcast episode, I hope [00:19:00] to provide information for you and for me, and break through this foolish procrastination I've had about knowing the facts about something. That could affect me in the future. Let's take a look at this together. What do you say?

How about we start with the basics.

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability, severe enough to interfere with daily life. It's not a specific disease, but an overall term. That encompasses various conditions characterized by impairments, in memory communication, and thinking. The most. Common cause of dementia. Is Alzheimer's disease accounting for 60 to 80% of cases. Now. You might wonder how does dementia differ? From the typical aging process. [00:20:00] Well, occasional forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. Dementia is marked by persistent and progressive. Cognitive decline. For instance, forgetting where you placed your keys is normal. Forgetting what keys are for. Is not. That distinction is so helpful, so helpful to me. Recognizing the early signs of dementia is crucial. Some of these include memory loss that disrupts daily life. Challenges in planning or solving problems. Difficulty completing familiar tasks. Confusion with time or place and changes in mood or personality.

If you or someone, you know, is experiencing these symptoms it's essential to consult a healthcare professional [00:21:00] for a thorough evaluation. Let's delve a bit deeper into the types of dementia. As mentioned before Alzheimer's diseases, the most prevalent other types include vascular dementia, which results from blood vessel blockage or damage. leading to brain tissue, death. Dementia with Lewy bodies characterized by abnormal protein deposits in the brain. And. Frontotemporal dementia, which affects the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Each type has its own set of symptoms and progression patterns. Understanding these stages can help in managing and preparing for the journey ahead. Generally dementia progresses through three stages. Mild, which is the early stage where individuals may function independently, but [00:22:00] experience memory lapses, such as forgetting familiar words. Or the location of everyday objects. Moderate, which is the middle stage. This is typically the longest stage symptoms become more pronounced. Including confusion about events, difficulty performing daily tasks and changes in sleep patterns. Then there's severe, which is the late stage. Individuals lose the ability to respond to their environment. Carry on a conversation. And eventually control movement. Well, there's currently no cure for dementia.

Certain treatments can help manage the symptoms. Medications may temporarily improve symptoms or slow their progression. Additionally non-drug therapies such as cognitive stimulation and even physical activity. Can enhance quality [00:23:00] of life. Supporting someone with dementia requires patience, understanding. And compassion. Here are some ways to offer support, educate yourself. Understanding the condition can help you. Empathize and respond more effectively. Create a safe environment, ensure the living space is free from hazards and is easy to navigate. Establish routines, consistent routines can provide a sense of stability and reduce confusion.

Engage in activities. Participate in activities that the person enjoys and can still do. Which will boost their mood and their sense of accomplishment. Remember, you're not alone. Organizations like the Alzheimer's association offer resources, support groups, and our 24 7 helpline, which I've listed in the show [00:24:00] notes, reaching out can provide guidance and a sense of community.

It's essential to highlight the importance of self care for caregivers.

Caring for someone with dementia can be emotionally and physically taxing, and sure you take breaks. Step away and recharge seek support when you need it. Join a support group or talk to a counselor. Stay healthy. Through regular checkups exercise and a balanced diet. There's quite a bit of good and hopeful news on this front.

And I'm going to leave you with these recent breakthroughs. There are new Alzheimer's drugs that have been approved. You may have seen this in the news.

This drug approved by the FDA in 2023 is one of the first to target amyloid beta plaques in the brain. [00:25:00] A hallmark of Alzheimer's. It slows cognitive decline in early stage Alzheimer's patients. Another anti amyloid drug is showing promise in clinical trials. With evidence suggesting it can slow disease progression significantly. Then there are Tau protein targeting therapies. Another key factor in Alzheimer's are tau tangles. And they are the target of new drugs and clinical trials.

These therapies aimed to prevent the tangling of tau proteins, which disrupt brain cells, communication and functioning. Blood tests for early diagnosis. A non-invasive blood test to determine. Biomarkers of Alzheimer's and other dementias are becoming more accurate. They can provide early warnings [00:26:00] years before symptoms appear. Advances in. Genomics or enabling treatments tailored. To an individual's genetic risk.

And studies confirm the interventions like the Mediterranean diet, regular exercise, cognitive training, and sleep hygiene, sleep hygiene. Can delay or prevent dementia.

Combining all of these into multi-domain approaches has shown particularly. Strong benefits. You know, I just read yesterday. That. Being quote unquote, a weekend warrior where you get 30 minutes, just 30 minutes of exercise on the weekend. Provides.

13% greater chance. [00:27:00] Of avoiding dementia. So we better do that.

Speaking to myself, I better do that. Innovative treatments on the horizon include combination therapies. The future of treatment may involve combining. Medications. To address the multiple pathways. Involved in dementia progression.

Techniques like transcranial magnetic stimulation and deep brain stimulation are being tested. To enhance memory. And cognition by stimulating specific brain areas.

And the gut-brain connection is a burgeoning area of study research suggests that a healthy gut microbiome may protect against. Neuro degenerative diseases.

Artificial intelligence. Is revolutionizing early detection [00:28:00] by analyzing patterns in speech behavior. And even typing habits. AI is also aiding in drug discovery by identifying compounds that could halt. Dementia progression. Good heavens. Promising preventative measures. They're looking at vaccines. For dementia. Which aim to train the immune system to clear these. Negative proteins. Early stage trials are underway. With some showing safety and potential efficacy. Blood pressure and diabetes control managing.

These is critical. Social and cognitive engagements. Are crucial. Studies highlight the role of social interaction and lifelong learning in reducing dementia [00:29:00] risk.

Virtual reality. Tools are being developed to simulate stimulating environments for at-risk individuals. There are a number of global research initiatives, the global brain health consortium.

The UK's dementia moonshot.

The UK has pledged significant funding for research focused on innovative treatments and improving care for dementia patients. And here in the United States, the national Institute of health is prioritizing research on dementia related biomarkers, new drugs and prevention. Strategies. Whew.

I know this has been a lengthy. And complex discussion. And clearly dementia is a challenging journey. But with knowledge, support and [00:30:00] compassion. We can navigate it. With resources, tools and people available to help us. Let's continue to raise awareness. Support research and advocate for those affected.

Thanks so much for joining me today.

Please subscribe to this podcast, leave a review. Go follow me on YouTube now. Where I'm working hard to share parts of these episodes on video in order to show you some of the things I talk about in the episodes. As well as some behind the scenes fun stuff. And most important to connect with you even more. Oh, and if you found this episode helpful. Please share it with others.

I'd really appreciate it. In the meantime, take care. See you next time on 60 something. I'm thinking we should talk about something fun on the next episode. Let me know if you have any [00:31:00] suggestions. Email me at grace. At grace@gracetaylorsegal.com or message me via our Facebook group. The link is in the show notes. Until next time.