Why Alzheimers Disease Evaluations are Important
As preoccupied as our societies are with youth and the quest to perpetually put off any signs of aging, the fact is that getting older is inevitable. If we can do our best to remove the stigma surrounding the process or even the discussion of aging, the closer we can get to dealing with some of the sensitive, often difficult or painful issues that sometimes come with growing older. These issues can take the shape of many conditions or branches of health, such as neuropsychiatric geriatric care, particularly in relation to Alzheimers disease evaluations and treatments.
Why Alzheimers disease evaluations are important
Neuropsychiatric evaluations are crucial in detecting certain disorders to be able to move forward with treatment options. Neuropsychiatry examines the science of the connections in the brain and the behaviors that are associated with them. Alzheimers disease evaluation unfortunately cannot prevent further development of the disease if it is indeed detected, but it can help prepare the patient as well as his or her loved ones for what comes next. Dealing with any form of dementia is a painful and difficult process, for the person suffering the condition and for those around him or her. And unfortunately, it affects too many.
The widespread presence of dementia
The sad fact is that dementia, in its various forms, plagues such a vast number of individuals. Every four seconds, there is a new case of dementia diagnosed. One of every three senior citizens who passes away has suffered from Alzheimers or another form of dementia. And across the planet, there are around 47.5 million people who are currently attempting to navigate the confusing maze that life becomes when dementia develops. That number is predicted to rise to 75.6 million people by the year 2030, and could more than triple as soon as 2050. There is no known cure for the degenerative disease, so doesn’t it make sense that we as a society should do all that we can to develop resources and understanding to at least improve the quality of life for those suffering?
Fostering care and compassion for those suffering
Getting an Alzheimers disease evaluation is crucial to being able to start the process of learning everything that you can about the condition and how to handle different difficult situations as they develop. There are several reasons that Alzheimers and dementia in general are so hard to understand and deal with, but the main issue for those suffering is the gradual loss of understanding. The mind is deteriorating, and not only does a dementia patient gradually lose understanding of the world around them, but his or her sense of identity also begins to slip away, as it becomes more difficult to find the solid grip on realities they have always known. The world becomes utterly confusing, which has to be one of the most terrifying things to attempt to endure.
What dementia sufferers need the most
Not only do the people suffering the neuropsychiatric issues begin to lose themselves, as they lose memories, experiences and understandings that they once possessed, which rooted them in their identities, but loved ones also go through significant trials as well. Watching someone you know, respect, and love so deeply become someone you hardly recognize, through no fault of their own, is heart breaking. But what is important to remember at this point, is that you must be the strong one. Find an avenue or outlet for your grief and frustration for the situation, but these emotions should not be at the forefront when dealing with your loved one. He or she needs patience, stability, and unwavering support. The whole world is shifting for them, and even if they do not understand your support, being available in any possible way could make all of the difference, whether in a moment of clarity or simply through a human to human bond of closeness and security.
