{"id":245771,"date":"2021-09-30T01:10:38","date_gmt":"2021-09-30T00:10:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forwardwithdementia.org\/en\/?post_type=project&p=245771"},"modified":"2021-11-24T15:33:37","modified_gmt":"2021-11-24T15:33:37","slug":"3-1-deal-with-memory-thinking-and-perception-difficulties","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www.forwardwithdementia.org\/en\/article\/3-1-deal-with-memory-thinking-and-perception-difficulties\/","title":{"rendered":"3.1 Managing memory, thinking and perception difficulties"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Challenge the notion that \u2018nothing can be done\u2019<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

The idea that \u2018nothing can be done\u2019 about dementia is common.\u00a0 This is not true. Many people have told us that it is helpful to think of symptoms of dementia like other disabilities. If you have a disability from arthritis or following a stroke, you learn to adapt your life so you can still do things to look after yourself, get around, and live life. The same is true for dementia. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are many things you can do to support the person with dementia and help them adapt to and manage their symptoms. For example, you might help them with practical things such as managing their bills, or you can act as an advocate to help them get treatments and therapies, such as cognitive stimulation or occupational therapy. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You may also need your own strategies and coping mechanisms to help you as a carer.\u00a0 Many carers have told us that supporting someone close to them is a privilege; but also constantly \u2018thinking for two\u2019 can be mentally and physically exhausting.\u00a0 Some symptoms, like being asked the same question repeatedly is draining.\u00a0 Supporting the person is not about giving up your life to solely focus on someone else, it is about making good choices that support the person with dementia to function better and lighten the load for you at the same time. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We work through common symptoms of dementia and give practical suggestions for how to deal with them to help the person you support and look after yourself. You can also look at <\/span>Dealing with memory and thinking difficulties<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/span>which\u00a0is\u00a0written for people with dementia\u00a0and has\u00a0more practical strategies.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Deal with memory, thinking and perception difficulties<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Start your own dementia toolkit” image=”https:\/\/www.forwardwithdementia.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2021\/05\/right_arrow.png” icon_placement=”left” content_max_width=”100%” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Toolkit CTA” module_class=”add_to_tookit” _builder_version=”4.13.1″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h5″ header_font_size=”22px” body_font_size=”18px” body_line_height=”1.2em” background_color=”gcid-402638df-a406-4a43-897b-e6375912129b” positioning=”relative” position_origin_a=”bottom_center” width=”100%” max_width=”95%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”15px|0px|15px|0px|false|false” link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.forwardwithdementia.org\/en\/how-to-use-your-toolkit\/” border_width_left=”10px” border_color_left=”#E40046″ global_module=”237506″ locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{%22gcid-402638df-a406-4a43-897b-e6375912129b%22:%91%22background_color%22%93}”]
Clicking here will open the toolkit information page where you can learn how to create your own dementia toolkit.<\/div>[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.10.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Memory and thinking difficulties define dementia, but don\u2019t have to define life<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/h3>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.13.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||5px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]

Most of us think of problems with memory when we think about dementia. However, memory can be affected in lots of different ways and it also affects thinking too. The type of dementia will also affect how the person\u2019s memory works. For example, someone with dementia might find it difficult to remember something that has happened recently but remembers the past well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Someone with Lewy Body Dementia may initially have no problem remembering things that happened recently. Some people might be very forgetful of events, but others may have more difficulty remembering faces. In general, remembering very recent things might be harder than remembering people and memories from the medium to distant past.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Medications\u00a0<\/i><\/h3>\n

Although there is currently no cure for dementia, the person you support may be able to take medication to help slow down their symptoms.\u00a0 This will depend on the type of dementia they have.\u00a0 Find out more about drug treatments<\/a> at the Alzheimer’s Society.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask your doctor if you are not sure about dementia medication.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Alzheimer\u2019s disease or mixed Alzheimer\u2019s disease and vascular dementia<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors\u00a0<\/span><\/b>are usually the main treatment.\u00a0 Donepezil<\/span>\u00a0(Aricept), galantamine (Reminyl) and rivastigmine (Exelon) may be recommended for\u00a0mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.\u00a0<\/span>Memantine\u00a0<\/span><\/b>(Nameda) may be offered if the person is unable to take\u00a0AChE\u00a0inhibitors or they already<\/span>\u00a0take an\u00a0AChE\u00a0inhibitor and dementia is more advanced.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For\u00a0 Dementia\u00a0with Lewy Bodies<\/span><\/i>\u00a0AChE\u00a0inhibitors donepezil or rivastigmine may be offered if for mild to moderate or advanced dementia. Galantamine<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or Memantine may be offered if the person cannot take\u00a0ACheE\u00a0inhibitors.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Vascular Dementia\u00a0<\/span><\/i>AChE\u00a0inhibitors<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>or memantine<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>may be offered if the person has mixed dementia with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Frontotemporal dementia\u00a0<\/span><\/i>AChE\u00a0inhibitors or memantine are not recommended.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

New guidance on the use of dementia drugs also now\u00a0recommend\u00a0a trial of dual therapy such as an\u00a0AChE\u00a0inhibitor together with memantine if either of these drugs alone no longer seem to be working.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Common side affects<\/i><\/strong>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects of\u00a0AChE\u00a0inhibitors can include nausea (feeling sick) and loss of appetite which usually get better after 2 weeks.\u00a0 Side effects of Memantine are usually temporary and include headaches,\u00a0dizziness\u00a0and constipation.\u00a0 If the person experiences effects, ask their doctor if patches are available instead of tablets.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Non-Drug treatments<\/i><\/h3>\n

There are four main types of therapies to help with memory and thinking. Cognitive stimulation therapy, reminiscence therapy, cognitive rehabilitation and occupational therapy, and cognitive (or brain) training. The word \u2018cognitive\u2019 relates to the thinking processes in the brain. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Group cognitive stimulation therapy\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If\u00a0the person you support is in the\u00a0earlier stages of\u00a0dementia\u00a0they\u00a0may be offered cognitive stimulation therapy (CST).\u00a0\u00a0The person can take part in\u00a0group activities and exercises to help with\u00a0their\u00a0memory, problem-solving\u00a0skills\u00a0and language. CST is one of the few non-drug therapies to have shown positive effects in research studies on thinking and quality of life for a person with dementia.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

CST is available through the NHS in some areas. Memory clinics may run courses.\u00a0 Ask the person\u2019s doctor if CST is available in your area.\u00a0 If it is available, their doctor can make a referral.\u00a0 You can watch a short video about CST<\/a> here. <\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Group reminiscence therapy<\/span><\/i><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If the person you support is in the earlier stages of dementia, they may be offered reminiscence therapy. At reminiscence groups they can share their stories, memories and life experiences. They may find it easier to remember things about their past and enjoy talking about it with other people. Organisations such as the Alzheimer\u2019s society and Dementia UK may offer local reminiscence services<\/a>.\u00a0 <\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

They also offer a range of ideas you can try with the person you support.\u00a0 Try the Alzheimer’s Society<\/a> and Dementia UK<\/a> for practical ideas and activities<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Your\u00a0local library may also have reminiscence collections. Some museums offer local and online reminiscence resources\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

There are many strategies for \u2018working around\u2019 or even addressing problems with memory and thinking. You can read the NHS dementia guide to find out about treatments and therapies<\/a>. <\/span>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n