Center hosting seminar on memory loss, dementia

I had a great idea for starting this article, but I forget what it was. I know that’s not funny, but it’s true and I’m willing to bet that one day this week you’ll misplace your TV remote, forget the actor’s name in your favorite movie or the quintessential memory shaker, walk into a room and wonder why you’re there.

On Aug. 23 from 1-3 p.m., the Alzheimer’s Association will present a free seminar on memory loss, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at the Sandpoint Senior Center, 820 Main. This workshop will focus on the 10 warning signs that may indicate that you or someone you love has a form of dementia.

We hear the most about Alzheimer’s because it’s the most common accounting for between 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

“In addition to Alzheimer’s disease, there are several other diseases that are characterized by dementia symptoms, including vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington’s disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,” the Centers for Disease Control’s website states.

The causes may differ and the progression of the diseases may vary but the symptoms are very much alike. Memory loss, difficulty in communicating, completing tasks and/or coordination are common. Personality changes, inability to reason, paranoia, anxiety and becoming disoriented or lost are also typical signs.

“Early detection of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is so important for families,” said P.J. Christo, RN, MS and Outreach Coordinator for the Inland Northwest Chapter of Alzheimer’s Association. “Many people ask, ‘Why, since there’s no treatment?’ Early diagnosis allows the person with the disease to be involved in their own care and in their own future care.”

In a recent conversation with Scott Burgstahler, MD, on-site physician at Life Care Center in Sandpoint, he said that Alzheimer’s disease progresses at a steady, gradual decline. Vascular dementia is more of a stair-step degeneration, think of cognitive ability going down in notches.

“The most important criteria for patients are safety and dignity,” Burgstahler said noting that most of the drugs on the market today have had limited long-term success.

The CDC said, “Scientists still need to learn a lot more about what causes Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to genetics, they are studying education, diet, and environment to learn what role they might play in developing this disease. Scientists are finding more and more evidence that some of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and low levels of the vitamin folate may also increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Evidence for physical, mental and social activities as protective factors against Alzheimer’s disease is also growing.”

‘The potential of earlier diagnosis and the development of better treatments may significantly change the experience of Alzheimer’s for millions of people,” Christo said. “Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death yet it is the only disease in the top ten that has no cure, no drugs to stop its progression, and no prevention. Alzheimer’s disease is the epidemic of the century!

“Come and learn the difference between normal aging and changes warranting concern. Early detection matters,” Christo concluded.

Kathy Hubbard is a trustee on Bonner General Hospital Foundation Board. She can be reached at 264-4029 or kathyleehubbard@yahoo.com.