Skip to main content

Impact of Seasonal Change on Dementia Symptoms

Impact of Seasonal Change on Dementia Symptoms

Are you a caregiver of an elderly with dementia? Do you notice that your loved one exhibits different symptoms according to the season? A new study reveals that seasons do have an impact on dementia symptoms.

Different seasons impact the brain biology in different ways and seasonal changes also impact cognitive functioning in the elderly.

Seasons Impact on Cognitive Performance
 Recently, a study analysed data from 3,353 older adults in France, US and Canada. Data on around 19 cognitive tests were compared with proteins in spinal fluid linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as brain gene expression, to look at the differences between those with and without a diagnosis of dementia.

Scientists found that on an average, older adults with and without dementia have better cognitive functioning during the summer months compared to winter; with the cognitive decline being an age difference of almost 4.8 years. When scientists controlled for an array of factors that could influence the results including sleep quality, thyroid levels, depressive symptoms and the level of physical activity of senior citizens, they found there were 30% higher odds of participants falling into the range of diagnosis for mild cognitive impairments or dementia in the colder months highlighting the need for more resources to help the elderly in this season.

Protein Analysis
 Scientists also found seasonal variations in the levels of Alzheimer’s-related proteins in the spinal fluid and brain expression of cognition-associated gene modules. These findings throw light into the underlying mechanisms of cognition in older adults and highlight the importance of increasing dementia screening during winters when cognition is impacted in older adults.

Dementia Symptoms During Winters
 According to the above study and analysis, dementia effects worsen during the winter months. You will notice the following signs

  • Worsened Sundowning: The word sundowning refers to increased agitation, confusion or aggression during the late afternoon or early evening. These symptoms increase during winters.
  • Disturbance in Sleep: During winters, the days are shorter, and early darkness can confuse elderly with dementia leaving them restless during the night.
  • Depression: Low mood and depressive symptoms also increase in winter due to lack of daylight in winter months.

Ways to Deal with Dementia in Winters
 Dealing with senior citizens facing dementia problems can be tough for you and your beloved elderly. It can be difficult during the best of times, and winter season only adds to the concern. Some of the ways you can deal with dementia during winters include

  • Follow a Routine: You should try to ensure that your elderly’s routine remains undisturbed during the winter months. It will help to keep them calm and comfortable.
  • Create Calm Ambience Close to Sunset: To tackle sundowning, try to create a calm ambience when close to sunset. You can engage them in some activity which they enjoy or play soothing music.
  • Take them Out Under the Sun: You can take your older adult for a stroll and make the most of winter sun and natural sunlight. Alternatively, you can make them sit in the patio and boost their mood.
  • Seek Professional Help: Winter months can get tough for an elderly person with dementia, so it is ideal to seek the help of a professional. You can look for caregiver support services and make this phase easier for your elderly and yourself.

If you are looking for dementia disorder treatment in Delhi and dementia care service for your older adult in Delhi NCR, then connect with Samvedna Senior Care team. We specialise in providing holistic dementia care. We offer cognitive assessments, home care programs, group programs and caregiver support. The need of active dementia screenings and interventions will increase during the winter months. For screening, counselling and caregiver help you can connect with Samvedna Care team. Know about the different services and programs https://www.samvednacare.com/ and let’s help your elderly live a happy, independent and active life.



from Samvedna Senior Care https://ift.tt/2XACz3W
via IFTTT
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Connection Between Aging, Exercise, and Healthy Lungs

Enjoying a long and healthy retirement requires taking good care of yourself. While many people focus on living a heart-smart lifestyle, taking proactive steps to maintain healthy lungs is essential, too. As we age, the lungs become weaker and less flexible. This can contribute to a variety of diseases and chronic health conditions. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute , lung-related illnesses are the 3rd leading cause of death in this country. That includes lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma—adding up to nearly 235,000 deaths a year. Here are a few tips you can use to keep your lungs healthy: Stop smoking. Talk with your primary care physician about smoking cessation programs. Avoid secondhand smoke. Research shows it can be just as deadly as being a smoker. Stay away from harsh chemicals. It’s important to avoid breathing in damaging fumes (e.g., home cleaners and weed killers). Prevent infections. Many infections can lead to
Post a Comment
Read more

How You Can Join the Fight Against Alzheimer’s

World Alzheimer’s Month in September is an opportunity to raise awareness about this complex disease and to challenge the stigmas surrounding dementia. Launched in 2012, the awareness month spotlights the fact that 2 out of every 3 people globally believe there is little understanding of dementia in their countries. More than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia and it is the 6 th leading cause of death in the US, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual report. With the senior population growing quickly, Alzheimer’s and dementia cases will continue to increase as well, unless researchers can find a cure. This upcoming Monday, Sept. 21, is World Alzheimer’s Day, a call to action for all of us to educate ourselves on how to take preventative steps, identify symptoms and support loved ones who have been diagnosed. Read more below to learn how to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease. Know the Warning Signs Detecting Alzheimer’s disease e
Post a Comment
Read more

Film Screening at Samvedna Senior Care

On 30th September, 2019, Samvedna Senior Care Foundation hosted the 2nd film festival of generations in association with Heidelberg University, Germany. The film Sputnik Moment – 30 years and beyond was screened at our senior citizen centre in Gurgaon for our members and staff. The film highlighted how senior citizens in Germany and the US were taking up second careers to fill their time, engage meaningfully and also get support through additional income. Post the screening Dr. Martin Gieselmann, Executive Secretary, SAI, Heidelberg University and Dr. Constanze, Coordinator DAAD Project, Heidelberg University along with our team engaged with the audience in an interesting discussion on the Indian scenario. Members shared that in India it is not easy for senior citizens to pick up jobs after retirement, however it was interesting to see that many in the audience did have jobs post retirement. They also spoke about stereotypes and social attitudes towards ageing and shared their per
Post a Comment
Read more