I have less than surprising news- we’re all getting older. It’s not a myth, it’s the sad truth that we aren’t ever fully prepared for. A lot of things change as time goes by and we get older. Unfortunately our minds are one of those things. With old age comes the loss of memory, and a little confusion. It is harder to remember where we left our keys, who told us that important message, and what was on that To-Do list we left at home. Mixing people and things up become a lot more regular and time seems to be getting shorter. This forgetfulness and confusion, no matter how frustrating, is common amongst all people as we get older. However, some people develop dementia as they get older, which is not just simply forgetting/confusing things and people. There is no cure for dementia, but there are different steps to be taken.
So how do you know if it’s just normal aging or if it’s dementia? This part can be a little tricky because what’s normal for you may not be normal for me. The symptoms affect everyone differently. A little different behavior does not always mean dementia, but making repetitive mistakes might. Here are a few things to look out for:
- Getting lost in familiar places
- Repetitive questioning
- Odd or inappropriate behaviors
- Forgetfulness of recent events
- Repeated falls or loss of balance
- Personality changes
- Decline in planning and organization
- Changes in diet/eating habits
- Changes in hygiene
- Increased apathy
- Changes in language abilities, including comprehension
Dementia can be frustrating for those with the disease, as well as the loved ones who are caring for them. They key to dealing with this disease is to recognize what is happening. Some things may just be old age, other things may be caused by a serious issue. Mood swings and personality changes are not things to get mad at, it is the disease changing the person’s brain, not their choice. It may be difficult to know and understand the best approaches to handling dementia, which is why it is so important to reach out for help to find the best solutions.
Nina habari zisizoshangaza - sote tunazidi kuzeeka. Si hadithi tu, ni ukweli wenye kuhuzunisha ambao hatujawahi kutayarishwa kikamilifu. Mambo mengi hubadilika kadiri wakati unavyopita na tunapozeeka. Kwa bahati mbaya akili zetu ni mojawapo ya mambo hayo. Uzee huambatana na kupoteza kumbukumbu, na kuchanganyikiwa kidogo. Ni vigumu kukumbuka mahali tulipoiacha funguo zetu, ni nani aliyetuambia ujumbe huo muhimu, na ni nini kilichokuwa kwenye orodha ya Mambo Tunayopaswa Kufanya tuliyoiacha nyumbani. Kuchanganya watu na vitu inakuwa ya kawaida zaidi na wakati inaonekana kuwa inazidi kuwa fupi. Kusahau na kuchanganyikiwa, bila kujali jinsi ya kukatisha tamaa, ni kawaida miongoni mwa watu wote kama sisi kupata wazee. Hata hivyo, watu wengine huendelea kuwa na ugonjwa wa akili wanapokuwa wazee, na si kwamba wanasahau au kuwachanganya watu. Hakuna tiba ya ugonjwa wa akili, lakini kuna hatua mbalimbali zinazopaswa kuchukuliwa. Kwa hiyo unajuaje kama ni kuzeeka kwa kawaida au ni ugonjwa wa akili? Sehemu hii inaweza kuwa kidogo tricky kwa sababu nini ni ya kawaida kwa ajili yenu inaweza kuwa si ya kawaida kwa ajili yangu. Dalili hizo huathiri kila mtu kwa njia tofauti. Mwenendo tofauti kidogo haumaanishi sikuzote kwamba una ugonjwa wa akili, lakini kufanya makosa mara kwa mara kwaweza kumaanisha hivyo. "Hii ni moja ya sababu za ""kujipanga"" kwa njia ya kawaida: kutokuwa na uwezo wa kuzungumza, kuwasiliana na watu, kuogopa, kuogopa, na kuogopa, na hivyo kuwa na uwezo wa kuwasiliana na watu ambao wanakabiliwa na ugonjwa huo." Ufunguo wa kupambana na ugonjwa huu ni kutambua kile kinachotokea. Baadhi ya mambo yanaweza kuwa ya uzee tu, mambo mengine yanaweza kusababishwa na suala zito. Mabadiliko ya hisia na mabadiliko ya utu si mambo ya kukasirika, ni ugonjwa kubadilisha ubongo wa mtu, si uchaguzi wao. Ni vigumu kujua na kuelewa mbinu bora za kukabiliana na ugonjwa wa akili, na kwa hiyo ni muhimu sana kutafuta msaada ili kupata suluhisho bora.