As we get older there may be a greater possibility of our memory declining, making it more difficult to remember things. This can have a major impact on daily life. This can be a result of a number of different conditions, however there are many ways in which an individual can be supported if they are suffering from memory problems.
A study in 2012 by Adam M Brickman of the Taub institute found that of 650 people over 65, 174 were identified as having had silent strokes which had caused dead spots in the brain. These 174 people scored worse on memory tests no matter how large their hippocampus (the part of the brain that plays in big part in short and long memory) was.
Memory Conditions
There are a number of conditions that could affect and individuals memory and these include: Dementia, Stroke, and the general ageing process could also cause memory problems amongst the elderly.
Dementia
Dementia is an extremely common condition amongst individuals, particularly those over the age of 65. At present it currently affects an estimated 800,000 people in the UK. There are a number of different types of Dementia that can affect an individual. The main symptoms of Dementia include: Confusion, Memory Loss, and problems with speech and understanding. Although there is currently no cure for Dementia it is important that a diagnosis is made early, as it will give medical professionals the opportunity to help an individual to come up with the right treatment plan, and support in dealing with the diagnosis. If a diagnosis is made early it increases the chance of an individual being able to lead an active and fulfilled life.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Strokes need to be treated as a medical emergency, and this is because the faster that a person receives medical attention, the less damage that the Stroke is likely to do to the individual. The main symptoms of a Stroke include: Face (may have drooped to one side), Arms (they may not be able to lift their arms), Speech (may be slurred), and Time is also a key issue when dealing with a suspected Stroke as it is essential that an individual suffering from a Stroke receives medical treatment fast. To raise awareness of Strokes to the general public in the UK, there has recently been a campaign to help people to spot the symptoms of Stroke, which can be remembered by using the word FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time). There are two main types of Stroke and these are: Ischaemic, and Haemorrhagic. Ischaemic Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is stopped by a blood clot, and this accounts for roughly 80% of all Stroke cases. Haemorrhagic Strokes are caused by a weakened blood vessel supplying blood to the brain bursting and causing brain damage. There are a number of different treatments available for Strokes, however these treatment options can vary depending on which type of Stroke an individual has. In general most Strokes can be treated by using medications, which are mainly used to prevent and remove blood clots, as well as reducing cholesterol levels and blood pressure. However ins some severe cases the best treatment option may be surgery, and this would be done to remove any fatty deposits in arteries, or to repair the damage caused by a Haemorrhagic Stroke. Life after a Stroke can be difficult and it may take time for an individual to be able to do tasks that they were previously able to do with ease, and in order to regain these abilities a long period of rehabilitation may be required.
The Ageing Process
Memory loss associated with the ageing process differs greatly to memory loss as a result of other conditions such as Dementia or Strokes. This is largely because with normal age-related ageing individuals will only experience minor changes to their memory, for example they will only forget parts of an experience. Whereas in cases where the memory problem is associated with conditions such as Dementia, the individual may suffer from more extreme memory loss, such as forgetting entire experiences that they may have had. Individual’s may experience some decline in their ability to remember things over time. However this may be very gradual or hardly noticeable, meaning that an individual would be able to continue doing daily living activities for much longer than someone who is suffering from memory problems. As it isn’t a condition, memory loss associated with the ageing process doesn’t have any specific treatments, however an individual may benefit from using memory aids (e.g. notes and reminders) to help them to deal with activities on a daily basis.
Home Care And Memory Problems
An individual who is suffering from memory problems may benefit from a Home Care package, and this is because a care worker may be able to help them with doing tasks that they may struggle to do unaided. For example an individual who is suffering from Dementia may find it difficult to remember to take their medication. A care worker would be able to assist with medication management, and this in turn will also ensure that the individual’s health and well-being is closely monitored. A care worker would be able to assist an individual in a number of areas including: meal preparation, personal care, and going out on outings. A Home Care package can have a major impact on an individual’s ability to cope within daily life, as well as their over their well-being.