Alzheimer’s is – and has been for a long time – the most serious form of dementia. It currently affects about 6 million Americans. Alzheimer’s is more common amongst people over the age of 65 years. In the event that your parent or loved one suffers from this condition, what’s needed is a lot of patience and good long term care policy. Research has unearthed the fact that people who have depression are at a higher risk of getting Alzheimer’s, or an Alzheimer’s –related ailment. Most times, healthcare practitioners find it hard to diagnose Alzheimer’s patients with depression. They have to depend on nonverbal cues and non-obvious symptoms such as social withdrawal, loss of exercise interest once enjoyed, impaired concentration and memory, and abnormal sleeping patterns. Treatments for these individuals should commence immediately. Depending on the specific circumstances surrounding the case, they might be prescribed with antidepressants, physical exercise, support groups, or electro-convulsion therapy. These treatments help ease the debilitating cognitive symptoms associated with depression and forms of dementia.
While the treatments above can help ease depression, there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. The best that can be done is show long and provide quality long term care to the affected. It helps to reconnect patients of Alzheimer’s and depression with activities and people who brought much happiness to their lives. It’s also important to formulate a daily routine, nurture them, celebrate small successes, and acknowledge them. It all takes some little bit of research and a show of love to get patients of depression and Alzheimer’s going again.
