Posted 1/8/24
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.
— Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
Hello all! Happy Monday to you! I just have a quick post today to discuss screening again. 🙂
I was blessed to be on our local NBC affiliate last week and have just enough time this morning to share the interview:
https://www.ky3.com/2024/01/04/ky3-digital-extra-importance-memory-screenings/
In the above interview, I TRIED to get across all of my 4 main reasons for getting screening:
1. Lots of things mimic dementia and can be treated and some even cured (UTIs, blood pressure issues, and COVID are a few of many examples). Heck, last week I talked to a wonderful person who was having carbon monoxide poisoning that mimicked it. The week before I spoke to someone who had a vitamin problem that caused it. Sadly, in both cases, they had damage that ended up causing it anyway, but if they would have caught it sooner……
2. The new drug classes we have fought sooooo hard for require very early detection. Leqembi is a recent one the Alzheimer’s Association fought hard to get covered by Medicare because it can greatly delay the progression… but it has to be caught early enough or they simply will not and cannot prescribe these infusions.
3. The earlier you know if the worst happens and you get diagnosed, the more you can prepare and get a care team together. Not knowing doesn’t make it go away, it just makes it hard to prepare and makes it harder for your family.
4. It helps in research too. I have been involved in a couple dozen (or more) research studies helping look for better detection methods and treatments. While I am cognitively “normal” (although my wife thinks I am an oddball), there is a propensity in my family to get the disease and being able to help with research brings an empowering feeling in case I do get it later. If I wasn’t screened, all of this data wouldn’t be captured.
I have never been one to back down from beating a room temperature horse, so this shouldn’t be a big surprise I am bringing this up again. I know many of you are caregivers, but please, please, please don’t forget to care for yourself in this and every other way while you perform this wonderful role!
Here is a solid explanation of how the diagnosis is worked through: LINK
This is a brief discussion of biomarkers: LINK
Another useful link: LINK
An important acrostic: R.E.C.A.L.L.
Here is the Mini Mental State Exam Presentation: LINK (I would recommend having a practitioner give this rather than doing it online…however, this is a very commonly used one)
Allow me to summarize this brief post by saying that I UNDERSTAND completely why you don’t want to know. I also understand why some doctors don’t want to give you the diagnosis as well. The treatment options are not as robust as for other diseases. It is scary. There are stigmas. However, much of this is changing dramatically!
Take a look at last years’ pipeline:
We are fighting for awareness and a relief from stigmas daily through Alzheimer’s Association events and Dementia Friends initiatives as well as through the thousands of senior centers whose programming is ran through the Area Agencies on Aging. Things will get better! They have already come a long way!
Hope is not lost! We need data and we need early diagnosis… Want to help #EndALZ ? This is one small, but important piece of the puzzle. 🙂
Update: Mom’s liquid had to be bumped to pudding thickness now. This means we give it with a spoon. I just about accidentally choked her to death last week on a beverage. I TRY very hard to alternate between food and drink portions to prevent her choking, but it doesn’t always work. I am open to any suggestions on safe feeding techniques! (oh, and any aspect of giving care…I only know what I know because someone taught me. 🙂 )