Receiving a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be devastating for the individual. There’s an inherent feeling of fear and isolation when this diagnosis has been handed down and an overwhelming sense that you have to go at it alone. It’s important to recognize that upon diagnosis, most patients are still in the early stages, and while they have likely had to let go of many parts of their life, they do not have to lead a life of solitude. There are many resources available to help ease the transition, but very few are exclusively geared toward the individual suffering from dementia.
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Taking Action After Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
There is no doubt that receiving the stunning diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia is devastating. While taking time to mourn the life that you are losing is a necessary step in the acceptance process, there comes a time when action is necessary, if not imperative.
An Exploration of Early-Onset Dementia, Part One
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia commonly strike after the age of 65. However, there are instances when these conditions occur in people in their 40s and 50s. Always a devastating diagnosis, early onset can be particularly difficult because of its unexpected nature and the effect on work, finances and family can be much greater. Here we will explore the hallmarks, causes and symptoms of...
Breaking News: Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Diagnosed with Dementia
Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who became the first female justice in 1981, announced Tuesday that she suffers from dementia and is “no longer able to participate in public life.” In a letter released by her family, O’Connor, 88, said she wanted to “be open about these changes, and while I am still able, share some personal thoughts.” she reported that she was in the...
STROKE — Risk Factors, Complications & Treatment
A stroke happens every 40 seconds and is the leading cause of death in the United States. With these stunning statistics in mind, and the awareness that stroke is the primary cause of vascular dementia, we started our exploration of the topic last week. In our last post we defined stroke and discussed the causes and symptoms. Today we will explore the risk factors, complications and prevention.
STROKE — One of the Leading Causes of Dementia
On a previous blog post we laid out one of the main types of dementia, Vascular Dementia, caused by stroke, current estimates claim that 15 to 20% of all dementia cases are in the vascular dementia category. With that in mind, we thought it was a good idea to explore exactly what a stroke is, the causes and symptoms. In a future post, we will explore risk factors, prevention and treatment.