Dear LPG

 This is a subject that is so often avoided until a family member gives rise to the need to find out more about it, and it is also an issue that, perhaps, affects us older people rather than any other section of the world community.   As is so common, I have recently had reason to do a little research because it has arrived in our family.  An elderly uncle of mine has been tested and found to have a degree of dementia and that got me Googling the syndrome.

 I am no expert but the first thing that I found out is that the word dementia describes a whole group of illnesses; Alzheimer’s being just one of them.   It is often a lot easier for someone around the affected person to see the signs than the possibility of such a person suspecting themselves. There are very differing degrees of the way that it affects each person that it touches. 

I have also learned that there is a great deal of research being done to combat dementia, but the umbrella term covers many different facets of research.  In some cases it can be hereditary but in others it isn’t. It can have a very gradual rate from the first signs to a relatively advanced stage but it can also be quite sudden.  Severity can be intermittent leaving sufferers quite well at times and quite ill at others with very little notice of either.

From what I have read, it is argued that dementia is highly unlikely to shorten anyone’s life in itself but, as with any illness, early diagnosis is to the advantage of all and learning something new, re kindling an old hobby or even watching TV can be very helpful.

My uncle lives in a care home now, and he has other health issues, and while it is undeniable that his dementia has its ups and downs, family members visit him regularly and he still finds reasons to laugh and smile.  It’s not ideal but it could be so much worse.  I have tried a couple of the tests below and think I am OK for the moment. 

Below are some of the sites I researched…

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BI, Catford