2019-10-11_amanda_Draft2_OctoberContentDeliverables_HomeCareAssistanceMTL_9Oct2019.docx

HomeCare Assistance Montreal

October content deliverables: Draft 1 – 11 October 2019

Monthly theme: Mental health

Newsletter

Article 1:

Big picture view: 
3 tips for differentiating between dementia and mental illness

Aging isn’t always easy. Same goes for caregiving. Layer in the added complexity of dementia or mental illness, and small obstacles can become much bigger. What’s more, both of these health issues are increasingly common among Canadian seniors.

Dementia becomes more prevalent as we age, affecting less than 1% of those 65 to 69, but 25% of people 85 and older. That means as the population of Canadians over 65 grows, so does the number of people living with dementia. Mental illness is another mounting concern. As recently as 2016, more than 18 million Canadians over the age of 60 were living with a mental health issue or illness.

Not every senior will experience dementia or mental illness. But those who do can suffer very real impacts and long-lasting effects. As a caregiver, knowing the red flags to watch for, and getting the right support, can go a long way towards maintaining – or improving – quality of life for someone you love.

Keeping these three take-aways in mind can help you understand where dementia and mental illness differ from the signs of typical aging, and watch to watch for in the ones you love.

Dementia and mental illness may seem similar – but they’re not the same.

The most important things you can learn about dementia are what it’s not. Dementia is not a “normal” part of the aging process. It actually means a group of symptoms that affect thinking, memory and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life. Having memory loss alone doesn’t necessarily mean that a person has dementia. And dementia in and of itself isn’t a specific disease (although several diseases can cause it).

We tend to use the words “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” interchangeably. But while Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of progressive dementia in older adults, it’s not the only one. Vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal, and mixed dementia are all linked to different causes and diseases.

While mental illness shares some common symptoms with dementia (like confusion and mood swings), it’s a distinct and different issue. Mental illnesses are marked by altered thinking, mood or behavior that’s associated with significant distress and impaired functioning. A mental health concern becomes a mental illness when ongoing signs and symptoms cause frequent stress and affect someone’s ability to function.

Much like dementia is bigger than occasional – or even frequent – forgetfulness, mental illness is more complex than simply experiencing good days and bad days. It’s a sustained issue that spans a number of disorders, including depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety, and more.

Symptoms may overlap, but each comes with a distinct set.

Like many health issues, symptoms of dementia or mental illness can vary. Dementia symptoms come to light as cognitive or psychological changes. Mental illness symptoms can affect emotions, thoughts, behavior, and even cause physical problems like headaches or other unexplained aches and pains.

Are you getting the sense that something’s may be going on with your loved one? Consider these questions as you assess possible red flags:

Dementia:

Are you noticing more memory issues than usual?

Do they seem to have difficulty communicating and finding words?

Are they getting lost more often?

Are problem-solving and reasoning becoming difficult?

Do complex tasks seem harder to handle?

Is their coordination and motor function changing?

Are they often confused or disoriented?

Is their personality changing?

Do they seem depressed or anxious more often?

Is their behaviour inappropriate?

Are they becoming paranoid, or agitated?

Are they hallucinating?

Mental illness:

Are they regularly feeling sad or down?

Have they started to withdraw from friends or activities?

Are fears and worries becoming excessive?

Do the highs and lows of their moods seem more extreme?

Are they having trouble sleeping?

Do they seem low energy, or significantly more tired?

Are they struggling to cope with daily problems or stress?

Do they seem excessively angry, hostile or even violent?

Are they expressing suicidal thoughts?

Getting a diagnosis matters.

Diagnosing dementia or mental illness isn’t always straightforward. It’s even harder for medical professionals to diagnose mental illness in people with dementia because of the overlapping symptoms. Even between Alzheimer’s and depression we see commonalities – from social withdrawal and memory problems to impaired concentration, sleeping too much or too little, and a loss of interest in once-enjoyable activities and hobbies.

Getting to the bottom of the issues and seeking a diagnosis is always important. Many mental illnesses can be treated with the right mix of counselling, medication and lifestyle changes. True, too in some specific cases where dementia’s underlying cause can be treated. Also this: some forms of dementia, like Alzheimer’s, can benefit from early intervention at the initial stages of the disease.

That’s what makes knowing specifically what you’re dealing with so important. Doctors rely on many different tests and assessments to diagnose dementia or a mental illness. As a caregiver, you’ll need to help the doctor paint that holistic view. That means keeping track of when you first started noticing someone’s symptoms, how they’ve changed over time, and whether you’ve noticed anything that makes the symptoms better (or worse). Risk factors – like family history – are also important for the conversation with the doctor.

Closing thoughts

A diagnosis of dementia or mental illness doesn’t have to mean closing the door on quality of life. In fact, the opposite is true. Knowing what’s going on with someone you love enables you to find the right tools and resources for them, which can significantly improve someone’s day-to-day – including yours.

References (proper list):

Mental Health Commission of Canada

Canadian Institute for Health Information

Public Health Agency of Canada

Alzheimer’s Society Canada

Mayo Clinic – Dementia

Mayo Clinic – Mental Illness

The Gerontological Society of America

Facebook:

October’s World Mental Health Day is all about raising awareness and mobilizing support. That’s especially important for the senior’s population, where it’s not always easy to spot the differences between typical aging, mental illness, and dementia. This month, HomeCare Assistance is offering up three key tips to bare in mind as you keep an eye out for red flags. [link]

Instagram:

Mental health is health. That’s why this month, we’re celebrating World Mental Health Day by sharing real tips that can help you keep mental wellness top of mind for the seniors in your life. [link]

Article 2

Caregiver Rx: Six ways to nurture brain health and mental wellness

A dementia diagnosis transform can many things. What doesn’t have to change is someone’s ability to live a meaningful life. Finding the right activities to weave into the daily or weekly routine of a senior with dementia is important. Not only can certain activities help manage the symptoms of dementia, but they also ensure a healthy dose of something we tend to forget when a tough diagnosis comes in: the simple need for everyday joy.

Work with your doctor to make sure that any activity your loved one starts is suitable for their physical and cognitive state. Then, consider these six as viable ways to start finding a new normal in the wake of dementia:

Dance like no one’s watching.

Physical activity is good for everyone – including a senior with dementia. In fact, some activities have been found to have a direct impact on dementia symptoms. Research shows a link between physical exercise and preserving cognitive function in older adults. Studies show that dancing – which blends mental effort, social interaction, and physical activity – is linked to improved memory, attention and focus in seniors with mild cognitive impairment. Other research shows it can actually reduce the risk of dementia all together. All good news for caregivers looking for new ways to help a senior with dementia feel connected, and have fun, at the same time. If dancing isn’t in the cards, don’t discount other physical activity. Even something as basic as going for a walk or doing a chair-based exercise program can improve mood, help sleep habits, and ease other symptoms related to dementia.

Join the band.

Whether or not you can carry a tune, research shows that singing or listening to music can provide a real benefit for someone with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Music goes hand in hand with behavioural and emotional benefits. It’s known to reduce stress, anxiety, depression and agitation – all of which can be a struggle for someone with dementia. Think about how weaving more music into your loved one’s life. It can be as easy as singing in the living room, or as involved as taking piano lessons and practicing at home. One study of adults aged 60 to 85 showed a real improvement in processing speed and memory after just three months of weekly piano lessons and rehearsals.

Get in the game.

Leisure activities are good for the brain. Research shows that people 75 and up who were active in leisure activities had a lower risk of dementia than other seniors. Crossword puzzles, reading and playing cards all stimulate the brain, helping to keep seniors active and thinking. But mental stimulation doesn’t have to be super involved to make a difference. Just trying something new, like varying a routine, can make a difference.

Keep good company.

We know loneliness can be an issue for the aging population. Finding meaningful opportunities for your loved one to stay connected continues to be important after a dementia diagnosis, which can feel isolating, scary or stressful. Help the senior in your life find opportunities to interact with others, stay engaged, and talk. Something as simple as coffee with a friend, a catch-up by phone, or a trip to the store can provide real ways for someone to feel connected to the world around them, even as theirs is shifting.

Work the food groups.

Solid nutrition is important for everyone, seniors included. For someone with dementia, poor nutrition can actually increase behavioural symptoms, making it doubly important to stay on top of you loved one’s diet. What goes in matters. Focus on getting enough fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into the mix. Also be conscious of what you’re keeping out. Salt, alcohol and caffeine should be limited. Eating with your loved one when you can not only helps you keep an eye on their diet; it also ticks the box on social connectedness for both of you at the same time.

Manage the stress
Caregiving can be stressful, especially for a senior who has dementia. What we often forget is the diagnosis is stressful for them, too. Dementia – and in its most common form for seniors, Alzheimer’s disease – can send ripple effects of stress. The unknown is often overwhelming. Proactively building in stress management can help. Engaging in some of the activities we’ve talked about here can help. But if the senior you’re caring for is persistently showing symptoms of stress, you may want to consult the doctor or consider more deliberate stress management techniques – like relaxation, meditation, breathing exercises, or even journaling. Also this: don’t discount the power of knowledge. For some seniors, doing the research to truly understand what’s going on can be empowering. Helping them access the right resources to do that can be useful to you both.

References

Alzheimer Society Canada

Alzheimer’s Association

On The Brain: The Harvard Mahoney Neuroscience Institute Letter

NAMM Foundation

The BMJ

Mayo Clinic

https://homecareassistance.com/blog/dancing-improves-brain-health

Facebook:

Dementia diagnoses don’t have to mean poor quality of life. In fact, embracing these six ideas from HomeCare Assistance for helping seniors with dementia stay – and feel – actively engaged can make a big difference. [link]

Instagram:

Ready, set… dance? So many things are possible – and recommended – for seniors suffering from dementia. Knowing what activities can help, and where to start, is key. HomeCare offers six ideas for helping the senior in your life live their best life. [link]

Website or longer-form social posting

Piece 1: Need to know – 3 take-aways on dementia and mental illness

It can be hard to tell the difference between the signs of typical aging, and something more serious. Knowing what to look for can help.

Dementia and mental illness aren’t uncommon in the senior population. But they’re distinct health conditions with their own defining symptoms, characteristics and treatment options. It can be difficult to discern the difference; diagnosing either of these health issues isn’t straight-forward. Developing a good base understanding of them can be.

If you sense something is up, make notes on what you’re observing, how it’s changing, and what specific concerns are keeping you up at night. That info can help you and the doctor get to the bottom of what might be going on with your senior in your life.

This month, HomeCare Assistance Montreal offers three key take-aways that can help you better understand the differences between dementia and mental illness, and know when to take action. Check them out here. [link]

Piece 2: Quick list: 6 ideas to help seniors with dementia stay active

A dementia diagnosis can feel overwhelming for seniors and caregivers alike. Finding new activities to help with the symptoms doesn’t have to be.

From getting someone moving, to dusting off an old record player, there are tons of ways for you to help the senior in your life feel connected and engaged even as they wrestle with dementia. Doing so can foster good health in every sense – and help you both find new ways to have a little fun.

If you’re looking for inspiration, consider these six activity ideas. They’re adaptable to someone’s specific abilities, and they can help. [link to full article ]

Caregiver of the month

Caregiver of the month:

This August, we’re celebrating XX, our Caregiver of the month!

Paikene’s unique approach to client relationships is all about bridging personalized service with compassionate caregiving – and it works. Since joining Home Care Assistance Montreal in September 2018, she’s set herself apart by diving deep to learn about each client’s individual needs. Paikene knows there’s no one-size fits all approach to caregiving. By starting with the big picture, she sets out to understand every client as a person, first and foremost. From there, she builds a personalized care plan with the individual’s specific needs in mind. That often means learning about a client’s past to help them best navigate their future. All the while, she’s building a bridge based on above-and-beyond compassionate care.

In her own words: “By reminiscing about their good times, and incorporating that into our care plan, we create a bond that gives our relationship the feeling of a family. What I love about my job and what gets me excited is knowing that I have the opportunity to make a difference in somebody’s life while serving them.”

Thank you, XX! We appreciate you!