A presentation by the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County to Carleton University staff on January 24, 2012.

Normal Aging: it is NOT a disease

IT:• is gradual• is normal• is inevitable and irreversible• varies in rate from person to person• occurs in all living things

Photo courtesy of PhotoDisc

Memory - What Stays the Same• Remote Memory (years ago and having

strong emotional importance) – remains strong

Memory - What Stays the Same

• Procedural Memory (physical activities) –remains strong

Memory - What Stays the Same

• Semantic Memory – remains strong but expect that retrieval may take a little longer

Memory Changes with Age

• Episodic Memory (days and weeks ago) -declines– May forget name of movie seen last week or

name of book recently read• What Helps:

Memory Changes with Age• Working Memory (seconds/minutes ago) -

declines; forgetting where you put the keys or what you went into a room for:

• What Helps: – Tackle one thing at a time– Keep items in same place

Memory Changes with Age

• Prospective Memory (remembering to do something in the future) - declines

• What helps:

Normal vs. Abnormal Memory Loss

• Forgetting the name of a new neighbour

• Telling the same favourite story at every gathering

• Forget what you ate for lunch

• Writing notes and lists

• Not remembering the name of close family

• Telling the same story in the same visit/conversation

• Not remembering you ate lunch

• Not remembering to write things down

What is Dementia?Dementia

is a set of symptoms,which includes loss of memory,understanding, andjudgment.

Reversible Conditions Affecting Mental Functioning

• Medical disorders (thyroid)• Depression, anxiety, stress• Medication side effects, interactions• Health changes, infections• Nutritional deficiencies (B12)

Dementia – not a disease, but a set of symptoms that accompanies a disease

Alzheimer Frontotemporal Lewy Body Vascular MixedDisease Dementia Dementia Dementia Dementia

What is Alzheimer’s disease?• Progressive: the amount of damage done by

the disease increases over time

• Degenerative : brain cells degenerate or break down

• Irreversible: damage cannot be repaired;

At present there is no known cause or cure.Current medications slow down the progression.

Alzheimer’s Disease: 10 Warning Signs

• Memory loss affecting day-to-day function

• Difficulty performing familiar tasks

• Problems with language

• Disorientation of time and place

• Poor or decreased judgment

Alzheimer’s Disease: 10 Warning Signs

• Problems with abstract thinking

• Misplacing things

• Changes in mood and behaviour

• Changes in personality

• Loss of initiative

Risk Factors• Age• Family History• Mild Cognitive Impairment• Cardiovascular Disease• Head Injury• Diabetes• Other factors (stress, clinical depression,

alcohol abuse)

Getting a DiagnosisIt is important to understand that:• There is no single test

• Getting a diagnosis is a lengthy process that may involve:- medical history- mental status exam- laboratory tests- neuropsychological evaluations- physical exam

Photo courtesy of Quincy Herald-Whig

Prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias in Canada

• 500,000 Canadians over 65

• 1 in 11 over age 65• 1 in 3 over age 85• By 2031: 1 million

CanadiansPhoto courtesy of Knowledge News

Prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Dementias in Ottawa and

Renfrew County

• 15,000 people in Ottawa and Renfrew County

• About 2,500 new cases each year

Photo courtesy of the City of Ottawa

What can you do to take charge of your brain health?

• Challenge your brain• Be Socially Active• Choose a Healthy Lifestyle• Protect your Head

Challenge Your Brain• Play games to challenge

your mind• Pursue a new interest,

learn a language, take a course, go to a museum

• Break your routine• Keep up hobbies, or

take up a new onePhoto courtesy of The Permanente Journal

Use it or lose it: Brain Teasers

Be Socially Active• Accept invitations & extend a

few of your own• Combine social and

physical/mental activities • Participate in service clubs,

volunteer work• Help someone out – practice

a random act of kindness. • Make the most of daily

opportunities to socialize.

Photos courtesy of CMCD and Speak First

Choose A Healthy Lifestyle• Enjoy a variety of healthy

foods• Track your numbers: blood

pressure, cholesterol, weight

• Plan physical activity• Reduce stress• Choose wisely: avoid

smoking and excessive alcohol consumption

• See your doctor if you have concerns about your health

Photos courtesy of The Age and Quincy Herald-Whig

Protect Your HeadPrevent Concussions

• Wear an approved helmet when engaged in sporting activities such as skating, skiing, cycling etc.

• Reduce your risk for falls in the home by installing bath bars, handrails, night lights

• Wear grippers on winter boots in icy conditions.

• Drive safely and wear a seatbelt.

Photo courtesy of the City of Eden Prairie

Count the number of F’s

FINSIHED FIELS ARE THE RESULT OF YEARSOF SCIETIFIC STUDY COMBINED WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF

YEARS….

• First Link® Program: Individual SupportSupport GroupsEducation

• Public Education Seminars• Speaker’s Bureau• School Education Program• Partnership in Transitional Care• Resource Centre• Safely Home® Program

What We Offer

Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County

Ottawa: 1750 Russell Road, Ste. 1742 613-523-4004

Arnprior: 115-16 Edward St. S. 1-888-411-2067, ext. 160

Pembroke: 425 Cecilia St. 1-888-411-2067, ext. 170

www.alzheimer/ottawa.ca