NHS research indicates that there are more than 944,000 people in the UK who have dementia. 1 in 11 people over the age 65 are living with dementia in the UK.
After the age of 65, the number of people suffering with Dementia doubles every 5 years.
It is important to distinguish between myth and reality for Dementia. There are a lot of misconceptions and misleading information about the disease that can lead to confusion and worry.
Building on Alzheimer Society’s Article, this blog will be looking at common myths about dementia and what the reality actually is.
Dementia is a syndrome, meaning a collection of related symptoms, characterised by a progressive decline in brain function. It can result from various causes and comes in multiple forms.
Types of Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the UK, accounting for 65-70% of cases. It is a progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss.
- Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia. It results from damage to the blood vessels which supply oxygen and nutrients to the brain.
- Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) accounts for approximately 10-15% of cases. It is closely related to Parkinson’s disease and many patients with DLB often have this disease and vice versa.
- Frontotemporal dementia is rare, accounting for less than 3% cases. It tends to begin at a younger age, typically between the ages of 45 and 64.
- Mixed dementia.
- Young-onset dementia affecting younger people (under 65 years).
The Myths and Reality:
- Dementia Is a Normal Part of Aging
One of the most common myths is that dementia is an inevitable part of getting older. While it’s true that dementia is more common among older adults, it is not an inevitable consequence of aging. As people age, it is normal to experience some cognitive decline, such as occasional forgetfulness. However, dementia is characterised by a severe and progressive loss of memory and other cognitive abilities that interfere with daily life.
Aging itself does not cause dementia, though certain risk factors, such as family history, genetics, and lifestyle choices, may contribute to its development.
Risk factors include:
- Physical activity
- Diet
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- Cholesterol
- Social isolation
- Sleep
- Hearing loss
- Visual impairment
A helpful saying is, “what benefits the heart also benefits the brain.” It is thought that up to one-third of cases could be prevented by making informed lifestyle decisions to lower the associated risk factors. Understanding that dementia is not a natural part of aging can empower individuals to undergoing an assessment early if they notice cognitive changes, rather than assuming these changes are inevitable.
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Are the Same Thing
While often used interchangeably, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are not the same. Dementia is an umbrella term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in cognitive function, which affects memory, thinking, and reasoning. Alzheimer’s disease is just one type of dementia, albeit the most common form, accounting for about 65-70% of all cases.
- All Memory Loss Is Dementia
Another common misconception is that any form of memory loss signals dementia. While memory problems are often one of the early symptoms of dementia, not all memory issues are linked to the condition.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) refers to memory and thinking problems that are mild yet noticeable. Symptoms can include:
- Memory – Misplacing items or having trouble remembering recent conversations.
- Attention – Finding it difficult to concentrate, e.g. while watching a TV programme or carrying out duties at work.
- Disorientation – Confusion about time, date or place.
- Thinking skills – Problems with planning or completing tasks, e.g. managing money, or cooking a meal.
- Communication – Problems finding the right words.
- Mood and behaviour – becoming irritable, anxious, or feeling low.
Individuals with MCI are at a higher risk of developing dementia, making regular health checks important. It is estimated that around 20% of people over the age of 65 have MCI and around 10% go on to develop dementia. MCI can be caused by a range of conditions or existing health problems, which include:
- depression, stress, and anxiety
- vitamin deficiencies
- thyroid disorders
- autoimmune conditions
- infections
- side effects from medication
- sleep disorders like sleep apnoea
- early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia.
Investigating the possible causes of MCI is crucial, as some are reversible, and identifying them will influence how it is managed.
- People with Dementia Cannot Live Meaningful Lives
Many people believe that a dementia diagnosis equates to an immediate and complete loss of independence, purpose, or joy in life. Although dementia is a progressive condition, people in the early and even moderate stages of dementia can lead fulfilling lives with the right support.
Living with dementia does require adjustments and, over time, more assistance with daily activities. Technological advancements have led to a variety of products and services designed to help individuals with dementia live independently and safely.
Meaningful activities for a person living with dementia should be linked to hobbies or interests the person enjoyed before the diagnosis. Whenever possible, individuals with dementia should be encouraged to actively participate in selecting and shaping activities that are meaningful to them. This helps ensure the activities are purposeful and supports the development and maintenance of relationships.
Engaging in activities such as listening to music, enjoying time with loved ones, or participating in hobbies can still provide a sense of meaning and joy.
With advances in care and understanding, many dementia patients continue to live at home, and maintain relationships with friends and family. Getting involved in dementia communities and support groups can help enhance the quality of life for both individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.
- Dementia Only Affects Older People
While dementia is more prevalent among the elderly, it is not exclusively an older person’s disease. Young-onset dementia refers to cases diagnosed before the age of 65. In the UK, over 70,800 people are living with young-onset dementia.
Dementia affects younger people in different ways, including the following:
- A wider variety of diseases can lead to young-onset dementia.
- Younger individuals are more likely to have a rare form of dementia.
- Memory loss is less likely to be an early symptom in younger people with dementia.
- Young-onset dementia is more likely to cause issues with movement, coordination, walking, or balance.
- It is more often inherited, with up to 10% of younger individuals affected by genetic factors.
- Many younger people with dementia do not have other serious or long-term health conditions.
Symptoms in younger adults can also be misdiagnosed as stress, depression, or even mid-life crises, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Raising awareness about young-onset dementia and undergoing preventative assessments can reduce misconceptions and ensure that younger individuals receive timely care and support.
- Once Diagnosed with Dementia, There’s No Point in Seeking Treatment
While there is currently no cure for dementia, treatments are available that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
These treatments include the following:
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: These medications, including Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon) and Galantamine (Reminyl), work by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain, a chemical that helps nerve cells communicate.
Glutamate Inhibitors: Memantine (Ebixa, Marixino or Valios) is used for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. It works by blocking the effects of excessive glutamate, a chemical in the brain that can contribute to neurodegeneration.
Newly Approved Treatments:
-
- Donanemab (Kisunla): Developed by Eli Lilly, this is the second medication approved by the FDA for treating patients with early symptoms of Alzheimer’s, such as cognitive impairment.
-
- Lecanemab (Leqembi): Last year, the FDA also approved Lecanemab (Leqembi), developed by Eisai in partnership with Biogen Inc., which showed similar effectiveness in slowing the progression of the disease.
The Gold Standard for Assessing Dementia
Echelon Health have developed the gold standard in predicting your risk of developing dementia.
Our Dementia Assessment offers clarity and accuracy in detecting the earliest signs of the disease, looking underneath the surface to unearth underlying causes of cognitive decline, for effective management and potential treatment.
The Dementia Assessment includes the following:
- Clients would undergo in-depth blood tests for those risk factors which have been implicated in the development of cognitive impairment. These include haematology, renal and liver function, tests for diabetes, cholesterol and its sub-types, thyroid gland function, levels of vitamin D, B12 and folic acid as well as markers of inflammation.
- Clients will undergo an advanced 3T MRI brain scan to provide incredibly detailed views of the brain. This scan will be reported by the lead neuroradiologist at Queens Square (National Hospital for Neurology).
- The client will undergo an in-depth cognitive and formal neuropsychological assessment by a consultant specialist in cognitive decline.
The memory assessment involves a detailed history and a neurocognitive test called the Addenbrookes cognitive assessment (ACE-III). This is a sensitive test used to assess memory disorders and a gold standard for established memory clinics. The assessment can be delivered online but facilities are available for a face to face session, particularly where a neurological examination is felt to be helpful. The ACE-III is sensitive to the early stages of dementia and is composed of tests of attention, memory, language, visual and spatial skills of the brain’. This test has a sensitivity score of up to 97%.
The mental functions tested include:
- General intellect.
- Reading/reading comprehension.
- Language usage and understanding of what others say.
- Attention/concentration.
- Processing speed.
- Learning and memory.
- Executive functions, which are higher-level skills you use to organize and plan, manage your time, problem-solve, multi-task, make judgments and maintain self-control.
- Visuospatial skills.
- Motor speed and dexterity.
- Mood and personality.
- Nuclear Medicine CT-PET Scan:
If our specialist observes any concerning signs, a nuclear medicine CT-PET scan targeting amyloid may be recommended. This advanced imaging test can identify amyloid deposits in the brain, a key characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, providing additional diagnostic information.
- Bespoke Support:
Following the assessment, clients receive personalised counselling on the most recent treatments for dementia, including newly approved drugs that target amyloid proteins.
For a confidential conversation with our Head of Private Clients, contact our team today. We will always be delighted to help give you more information and answer any questions you may have.
Sources
https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia/myths-realities-dementia
https://www.pfizer.com/news/articles/5_myths_about_dementia
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/about-dementia/what-is-dementia/
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimer-s
https://www.dementiauk.org/news/meaningful-activities-for-a-person-with-dementia/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/symptoms-and-diagnosis/symptoms/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/about-dementia/treatment/
