Page 44 - BusinessWest March 7, 2022

When Memory Falters
Recognizing Dementia Is the First Step in Moving Forward
By Mark Morris
As we age, the occasional struggle to find a word, or a sporadic lapse of memory, is hardly a cause for alarm. It becomes a concern when short-term memory or trouble finding words becomes a constant battle, because those are often signs of dementia.
Memory loss is usually observed by others and not the person who is afflicted. According to
“They know you are an important person in their life, and they know there is an emotional connection. Words aren’t as important as the emotions.”
Lori Todd, executive director of Loomis Lakeside at Reeds Landing, a person tends to lose their short-term memory — such as not remembering what they had for breakfast — while their long- term memory stays sharp, and they can tell you all about what happened in 1950.
“We also see the person ask a question, get an answer, and then, 10 minutes later, ask the same
question,” Todd said. Understanding the difference
between benign memory loss and early stages of dementia can be dif- ficult for families of aging parents because confronting dementia often comes with lots of fear and denial.
Beth Cardillo, executive direc- tor of Armbrook Village in Westfield, works with families to better under- stand what is happening with their loved ones. Overcoming their fear and denial is the first big hurdle.
“Family members might admit that mom has a little dementia, but not Alzheimer’s,” Cardillo said. “They treat Alzheimer’s like it’s a dirty word.”
While there are more than 100 types of dementia, Alzheimer’s dis- ease accounts for nearly two-thirds of all dementia diagnoses. Cardillo noted that it’s not unusual for some- one to have Alzheimer’s as well as one or two other types of dementia.
For loved ones of individuals with dementia, Beth Cardillo says, overcoming fear and denial is often the first challenge.
On the last Wednesday of each
month, she runs a caregiver support group that gives families a chance to hear what others are going through while caring for an aging parent.
“I don’t say much; I’m simply there as a resource,” she said. “Most of the talking is done by group members who help clear up miscon-
44 MARCH 7, 2022
BUSINESS OF AGING
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