Age & Stage brings you practical guidance, expert help and inspiration to help navigate all aspects of elderly care and old age.
Presented by Age Space’s Annabel James and journalist & broadcaster Daisy McAndrew, we tackle a different subject every week in conversation with guest experts who each bring a wealth of experience and expertise.
Advising on everything from different kinds of care, funding care and legal things to consider, the practicalities of helping elderly parents and relatives remain living independently and safely at home, conversations about when to stop driving, getting a dementia diagnosis,the importance of a power of attorney; family dynamics, death and grief, and much more.
You can email the show at ageandstage@agespace.org, leave a WhatsApp message at 07982 360113 or record a voicenote here: https://www.speakpipe.com/ageandstage
Please share Age & Stage with a friend, or someone you know who would be helped by the information in this series. You can send them this link: https://pod.link/1798413657
Find out more about Age Space at www.agespace.org
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Age & Stage brings you practical guidance, expert help and inspiration to help navigate all aspects of elderly care and old age.
Presented by Age Space’s Annabel James and journalist & broadcaster Daisy McAndrew, we tackle a different subject every week in conversation with guest experts who each bring a wealth of experience and expertise.
Advising on everything from different kinds of care, funding care and legal things to consider, the practicalities of helping elderly parents and relatives remain living independently and safely at home, conversations about when to stop driving, getting a dementia diagnosis,the importance of a power of attorney; family dynamics, death and grief, and much more.
You can email the show at ageandstage@agespace.org, leave a WhatsApp message at 07982 360113 or record a voicenote here: https://www.speakpipe.com/ageandstage
Please share Age & Stage with a friend, or someone you know who would be helped by the information in this series. You can send them this link: https://pod.link/1798413657
Find out more about Age Space at www.agespace.org
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr Simon Adelman, consultant psychiatrist and leading expert in cognitive health and mental health, discusses what cognitive impairment is. We talk about impairment in old age, how it can affect our family and friends and practical advice on symptoms, prevention and treatment. Dr Adelman can be found here: https://halcyondoctors.com/doctors/
Get in touch with your comments & questions
Email: ageandstage@agespace.org
Voicenote: www.speakpipe.com/ageandstage
WhatsApp: 07982 360113
Share Age & Stage with friends & family: https://pod.link/1798413657
Age Space: www.agespace.org
From the conversation:
Recognising & addressing cognitive impairment. There is an increasing recognition of mental health issues in older adults, including dementia. It's important to consult a GP for any health concerns, physical or mental. There is an overlap between mental illnesses and physical conditions, such as delirium, which can be caused by infections or other medical issues.
There's a difference between acute (sudden onset) and chronic (long-term) cognitive issues. Acute conditions, such as delirium, are often caused by physical conditions like infections and can be treated with antibiotics. Common symptoms of acute cognitive issues include disorientation, anxiety, hallucinations, and physical symptoms like urinary incontinence. Chronic conditions, such as dementia, develop over a longer period and require different approaches for diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Simon Adelman differentiates between lifelong depression and depression symptoms that develops in older age. He explains that depression can be a symptom of dementia or other physical conditions, and it can be exacerbated by life changes like retirement or bereavement. It's advised to seeki medical help if symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, cause significant distress, or interfere with daily functioning.
There is a process of diagnosing dementia, including memory testing, blood tests, and brain scans. Memory clinics, which are part of older adult mental health services, conduct these assessments and provide diagnoses. Early diagnosis and treatment can slow down the progression of dementia.
Dr. Adelman provides practical tips for maintaining mental health, including addressing hearing and vision problems.He emphasizes the importance of controlling vascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, to reduce the risk of dementia. He also recommends engaging in activities that are enjoyable and mentally stimulating for maintaining cognitive resilience.
There is a link between sensory health (hearing and vision) and the risk of dementia. The brain is a muscle that needs stimulation to stay healthy, and sensory input is essential for this. Addressing hearing and vision problems can help prevent or slow down the onset of dementia.
While there is no cure for dementia, treatments can slow down its progression and improve quality of life. There needs to be better awareness and access to mental health services for older adults.
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