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Dementia

7 Common Misconceptions About People with Dementia

John Trevey on Aug 10, 2023
7 Misconceptions About People with Dementia - Bader House Memory Care of Plano, TX
Table of Contents
  1. Dementia awareness
  2. In their voices

Dementia awareness

Although dementia awareness has greatly increased in recent years, and people are more educated about Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia now more than ever, misconceptions about dementia are still prevalent.

Those who haven’t experienced or seen the disease up close can easily believe these misconceptions, furthering the stigma around dementia. This is why it’s important to know the common misconceptions about people with dementia and what the truth is.

The less dementia is stigmatized, the more accepting and understanding we can be of those who have it. The more understanding we are, the better we will be able to understand this disease for what it really is, conduct proper research and develop effective medications and preventative treatments.

1. Misconception: Dementia only happens to older people.

Truth: You’ve probably heard people refer to Alzheimer’s disease as “old timer’s” disease. This is based on the stigma that only older adults get dementia. This simply isn’t true.

Early-onset dementia can occur in people as young as their thirties. Young-onset Alzheimer’s disease typically begins when someone is in their fifties. Frontotemporal degeneration, another form of dementia, can also start at an earlier age.

2. Misconception: Dementia is caused by aging.

Truth: Dementia is not a normal part of aging or simply caused by getting older. Many people age into their eighties and nineties without getting dementia. Dementia is caused by neurodegeneration in the brain. A number of factors can contribute to this, including head injury, diabetes, and stroke.

Some memory loss is common with aging, but not the type of memory loss caused by dementia. This type of memory loss is debilitating and ultimately fatal, as the brain will eventually no longer be able to function.

3. Misconception: Dementia is hereditary.

Truth: Just because your parent or grandparent had dementia or Alzheimer’s does not mean you will get it too. Less than 5% of people living with Alzheimer’s inherited it through a family member. While there are certain gene mutations that can put you at higher risk for Alzheimer’s, having one of these mutations does not guarantee you will get it.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, another form of dementia, are more strongly linked to genetics.

4. Misconception: People with dementia are unaware of the world around them.

Truth: People with early-stage dementia have mild symptoms and are able to make decisions for themselves, take care of themselves and function well. People in the more progressive stages of dementia may seem confused or like they don’t know what’s going on, but they are still people who deserve respect, and they are probably aware of more than you think. They just need to be communicated with differently so they can respond effectively.

5. Misconception: People with dementia are violent or aggressive.

Truth: If someone with dementia is acting violent or aggressive, it is likely a sign of an unmet need that they’re not able to communicate effectively. Violence and aggression aren’t symptoms of dementia. Changes in the brain and behavior are, so the violence and aggression are stemming from those changes and the confusion caused by dementia.

If you are around someone who has dementia and has an aggressive outburst, find out what is causing this person to feel distressed then do what you need to do to take away that cause and restore calm to his or her environment.

6. Misconception: If you are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, you will decline rapidly, and your quality of life will suffer.

Truth: Dementia affects everyone differently. Some people live many quality years after receiving a diagnosis. Others decline rapidly. It typically depends on when the neurodegeneration began, which is often unknown. But just because you have a diagnosis, doesn’t mean your life is over. There are many things you can do to maintain your quality of life as you progress through the disease.

Making brain-healthy choices can help slow down the disease and add good years to your life. Brain-healthy choices include eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining an active social life and continuing to challenge your brain.

7. Misconception: If I eat _________ or do _________ or take ______, I can prevent dementia.

Truth: There is no conclusive evidence that a certain diet, behavior, medication, vitamin or supplement will guarantee you won’t get dementia. But there are behaviors that can reduce your risk of developing the disease. The brain-healthy choices we listed above all contribute to helping reduce your risk of getting dementia or Alzheimer’s in addition to getting enough sleep, managing your stress and not smoking.

In their voices

Listening to people who have dementia describe their experience can be incredibly helpful in reducing the stigma around the disease.

The Mayo Clinic interviewed several people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia to hear what they had to say, how they felt about the disease and what they wish other people knew:

I am a person. Know me and relate to me as a person with a unique background, life history, interests, and capabilities. When you call me a “patient,” “victim,” or “sufferer,” I feel minimized.

Understand that my personhood may become hidden, but it is not lost.

Promote ways I can continue to experience personal growth and development through purpose, meaning, relationships and enjoyment in my daily life.

People with Alzheimer’s or dementia are still people. They still have families, histories, hopes, and dreams. This disease doesn’t have to take away from that, but when we believe the numerous misconceptions and succumb to stigmas, we will naturally distance ourselves from people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. This further perpetuates the stigmas and misconceptions.

On the other hand, when we don’t shy away from those who have a disease we may not understand, we can learn something from them. When we have conversations with people who have the disease or those close to them, we can learn how dementia really affects people and what they’re actually capable of.

Reducing stigma and debunking the myths about dementia is crucial in order to move forward with learning more about the disease, its causes and how to prevent it.

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Covid Information

Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19


Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

 

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at Bader House!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol

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