What is dementia and what can we do to support ageing family?

You may have heard of dementia, a degenerative* condition that mostly affects older people. But what exactly is it? And how can we help our loved ones manage it if they have been diagnosed with dementia?

This year, Dementia Action Week (15-21 Sept) has a theme of “nobody can do it alone”, so let’s take a closer look at dementia and ways we can support those we love and others in the community who may have it.

WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is not considered a single disease. Instead, dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a whole group of different neurological* symptoms that can be caused by a number of conditions.

There are many types of dementia, often involving memory loss, but it can also affect speech, cognition*, emotional control, behaviour and the ability to move.

While Alzheimer’s disease* – a degenerative brain disease caused by nerve cell* death – is the most common form of dementia, people can also suffer from multiple types of dementia, known as mixed dementia.

Last year, The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) estimated there were 425,000 people living with dementia, which is equal to 16 people out of every 1000.

The rate of dementia climbs quickly with age. AIHW estimates less than one person out of every 1000 between 30 and 59 has dementia. For those aged between 85 and 89, however, 210 out of every 1000 are thought to have the condition.

WHAT CAUSES DEMENTIA?
While scientists don’t know exactly why people get dementia, the latest research has found that it has something to do with damage to the nerve cells in the brain.

“Your brain, like every other part of your body, is made up of billions of cells called neurons*, and they’re all connected to each other in networks,” said neurologist* and Alzheimer’s disease expert Dr Emma Devenney.

The brain can be understood as a massive, interconnected network – a bit like a city’s road system. Instead of cars, tiny specialised messengers (neurons) are constantly communicating with each other.

For every function we perform, like remembering a fact or speaking a word, there is a specific network of these neurons working together that stretches across our entire brain.

Researchers believe dementia starts when something disrupts this network.

“The million dollar question is, what is the very first thing that happens?” Dr Devenney said.

“There are lots of theories around. For some people, they have a genetic* risk, so something about those nerve cells are more vulnerable.

“For other people, there may be a whole host of reasons – environmental, epigenetic*, etc – but something happens, be that inflammation*, be that some other process, that causes damage within these nerve cells.”

Dementia doesn’t just cause memory loss. It can also affect behaviour, mood and even physical control of the body, making tasks like walking, talking and swallowing extremely difficult.

AUSTRALIA’S AGEING POPULATION
Australians are living longer. In fact, life expectancy for Australian men has increased by about 10 years since the mid seventies. And your parents probably had you at an older age than their parents had them.

But with an ageing population, it is predicted the number of Australians with dementia will rise to more than one million by 2065, according to the AIHW.

That presents a challenge in terms of providing care – especially since many people are choosing not to have kids or to have smaller families. It’s also a challenge financially, as people with dementia often eventually require care in nursing homes or by professional health workers.

IS THERE A CURE FOR DEMENTIA?
While there isn’t a cure for dementia, the risk of developing it can be significantly reduced by living a healthy lifestyle, getting plenty of regular exercise and eating a Mediterranean diet* of fresh fruit, vegetables, legumes*, oily fish and nuts. Avoiding alcohol, avoiding smoking and keeping a healthy weight is also important, as is keeping the brain active as you get older.

Other ways to reduce risk include treating hearing and vision problems and staying connected to friends and family.

CAN KIDS GET DEMENTIA?
While dementia most commonly affects older people, dementia can also develop in people under the age of 65, which is known as younger onset dementia, and even in children.

Childhood dementia is a very rare condition that affects approximately one in 2900 babies across the world. It can be caused by more than 100 rare genetic disorders that children are born with. Sadly, there is no cure for childhood dementia.

WHAT CAN I DO?
The best thing you can do to help protect the older people in your life from dementia is to spend time with them. Social connection and happiness are both very important for good brain health and your ageing loved ones will benefit simply from being around you. And while you are with them, why not give them a few reminders?

* Encourage exercise – a healthy heart leads to a healthy brain, thanks to better circulation through the brain’s blood vessels

* Play brain games – challenging yourself mentally is important, so play games like Chess and Scrabble with them and give them crosswords and puzzles to complete

* Check hearing – remind them that staying on top of hearing loss is important for brain health and they should get tested every two years after they turn 50

* Book a ‘brain day’ – remind them to schedule a yearly brain health check with their GP. Get them to choose a date that is easy to remember like a birthday. Keeping on top of blood sugar levels and LDL cholesterol* is also important to prevent against dementia

* Pay attention – there are some common signs like confusion, repeating the same stories, losing things more often and bathing and changing frequency, so if you think you have a grandparent or parent showing any of these symptoms, you could speak to a trusted family member about your concerns

* Please be patient and kind – dementia can be very frustrating for the whole family but just try and imagine how scary it must be for the person who has it. Being patient, listening and not disagreeing with or contradicting your loved one who is living with dementia can really help and comfort them

POLL

GLOSSARY

• degenerative: when a disease gets worse over time, leading to a decline and eventual loss in function
• neurological: relating to disorders of the nervous system
• cognition: the mental process of learning through thought, experience and the senses
• Alzheimer’s disease: a brain disorder that destroys memory and thinking skills that is caused by the build up of amyloid plaques in the brain
• nerve cell: a type of cell that sends and receives messages in the brain, also known as neurons
• neurons: the same as nerve cells
• neurologist: a doctor who specialises in the brain and central nervous system
• genetic: set out in someone’s DNA structure
• epigenetic: the way our environment changes the way our genes work
• inflammation: when a body part becomes swollen in order to fight off infection
• Mediterranean diet: considered a pretty healthy way to eat since it is packed full of fibre and healthy oils that helps fight inflammation, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to reduce the risk of dementia and various forms of cancer as well as other common forms of illness
• legumes: legumes are vegetables such as beans, peas and lentils
• LDL cholesterol: also known as bad cholesterol that blocks your arteries and leads to heart disease and stroke

EXTRA READING
How does your brain clean itself?
‘E-litter’ puppies to change lives
Which oil is the healthiest for you?

QUICK QUIZ
1. What is the most common form of dementia?
2. How many people in Australia are estimated to be living with dementia at the moment?
3. Dementia affects memory as well as which other functions?
4. What are two ways older people can reduce their risk of getting dementia?
5. How many Australians are likely to have dementia by 2065?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Family care
Thinking about people in your family getting older, and getting diseases such as dementia, can be scary, but also something you can help with after reading this Kids News article.

Think about your family members, and who you could help or spend time with. What could you do with or for them?

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When your parents or guardians are older, and might need care, what do you see yourself doing to help? Are there other people in your family that can help you care for them? Write your answers below;

Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
How old will you be in 2065? What can you do now for your health and lifestyle to ensure a long and healthy life?

Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
BAB it!
Show you have read and understood the article by writing three sentences using the connectives “because’’, “and”, and “but” (BAB). Your sentences can share different facts or opinions, or the same ones but written about in different ways.