HEALTH & WELLNESS CORNER
HEALTH & WELLNESS CORNER
Why A Dementia Diagnosis Matters: Unlocking Support, Treatment And Peace of Mind
JILL SHUTES
Dementia. Not a diagnosis, but a general term for a group of symptoms, including memory loss, that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. If is caused by damage or loss of nerve cells in the brain and can affect thinking, memory, language, judgement and behavior. The most common cause of these symptoms is Alzheimer’ s Disease affecting nearly 70,000 people in Palm Beach County alone. A concerning fact however is that 50-80 % of people living with the disease go undiagnosed.. so this number could be double.
People often do not want to get diagnosed, they state“ why bother, it’ s a normal part of aging and there is nothing you can do about it anyway”. But there is hope, and new treatments that are being tested daily, which we will discuss later but let’ s first review the risks involved in not getting a diagnosis. The risks of not getting a dementia diagnosis include increased risk of accidents, financial crises, and poor management of other health conditions. A missed diagnosis also prevents access to effective treatments that can improve quality of life, and it prevents individuals and families from planning for the future, including legal, financial, and care arrangements.
Safety and health risks
• Accidents and injuries: Undiagnosed individuals are more likely to engage in risky activities like driving or cooking, which can lead to accidents and injuries.
• Unsafe activities: People with undiagnosed dementia are twice as likely to continue unsafe activities like driving, managing finances, or taking medication independently.
• Medication errors: It becomes difficult to manage other chronic health conditions, potentially leading to prescription medication errors and serious medical complications.
Financial and legal risks
• Financial fraud: Difficulty managing money can make individuals vulnerable to financial scams and exploitation.
• Lack of planning: Without a diagnosis, individuals and families miss the opportunity to make legal and financial arrangements, such as updating wills or appointing power of attorney.
Missed treatment and support opportunities
• Ineffective treatment: There are various types of dementia, and a diagnosis allows for a tailored treatment plan. The wrong medication could be ineffective or even harmful.
• Delayed care: Early treatment can slow the progression of symptoms and improve quality of life, but this is missed without a diagnosis.
• Poorly managed symptoms: Symptoms like agitation or confusion can be worsened by other untreated medical conditions, and a diagnosis helps address both.
Emotional and social impact
• Burden on caregivers: Families and caregivers may experience increased stress without knowing the cause of a loved one ' s symptoms.
• Family conflict: Lack of understanding and planning can lead to family disputes.
• Social isolation and depression: Avoiding the reality of symptoms can lead to social withdrawal and depression for both the individual and their family.
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