Page 77 - BusinessWest May 1, 2023

Don’t Ignore the Signs
Memory Screening Can Be an Important Early Step in Dementia
BY JOSEPH BEDNAR
[email protected]
Like with any disease, Cheryl Moran said, early detec- tion of Alzheimer’s can make a big difference.
That’s why the Atrium at Cardinal Drive in Aga-
wam and Orchard Valley at Wilbraham, both Benchmark mind and memory-care communities, have been hosting a series of memory screenings at area senior centers.
“Over the past 25-plus years, we’ve seen that people and families affected by dementia often delay planning, which makes for a much more challenging situation later,” said Moran, executive director of the Atrium. “By offering this to the community, we want to help ease the burden.”
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia affects nearly 350,000 people in Massachusetts, and the numbers con- tinue to grow.
Memory screenings, Moran noted, are appropriate for anyone concerned about memory loss or experiencing symptoms of dementia or who believes they are at risk due to family history. Screenings like the ones being offered at area senior center provide a safe, simple, face-to-face way to check a person’s memory, language, intellectual func- tions, and other thinking skills using a series of questions and tasks.
Screenings have already taken place at Wilbraham Senior Center and West Springfield Senior Center in April, and the next two are slated for Wednesday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to noon at Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St.; and Wednesday, May 31 from noon to 2 p.m. at Palmer
Senior Center, 1029 Central St. Attendees can register for either event by calling (413) 821-0605 for Agawam or (413) 283-2670 for Palmer.
A screening can indicate whether someone should con- sult with a medical provider in order to identify what is causing memory loss. If dementia is the cause, early diag- nosis can help both individuals and their family members learn about the disease, set realistic expectations, and plan for their future together.
“If they are able to obtain a diagnosis for the cause of their dementia, it can help to better understand what the individual is struggling with and what to expect as the dementia progresses over time,” said Julie Waniewski, executive director of Armbrook Village in Westfield, which has a memory-care neighborhood called Compass. “There are also clinical drug trials that they can partake in to aid in research and hopefully find a cure one day.”
What to Look For
According to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., memory loss that disrupts daily life may be a symptom of Alzheimer’s or other dementia. The organization lists 10 signs in par- ticular to keep an eye on:
1. Forgetting recently learned information.
Screening
Continued on page 27
“Over the past 25-plus years, we’ve seen that people and families affected by dementia often delay planning, which makes for a much more challenging situation later.”
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CHERYL MORAN
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