Dr. Elizabeth Landsverk, a geriatrician speaks about how different medications can affect elders as they age. The Tuesday event at Alameda Family Funeral and Cremation, called “Medications and Elders: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly,” was sponsored by the Social Lights 4 Change professional group and Alameda Family Funeral and Cremation in Saratoga, California.
Undiagnosed dementia puts elders at risk
By Elizabeth Landsverk, MD
According to the World Health Organization, 47.5 million people worldwide are living with dementia, a number that is expected to more than triple by 2050. A diagnosis of dementia is frightening and overwhelming for those who have it and for their families. Early detection is critical to ensure quality care and to enable patients and families to plan for the future.
Is It a Memory Lapse or Is It Dementia?
There are a wide range of conditions that mimic the symptoms of dementia, ranging from the side effects of medication to substance abuse to a buildup of fluid in the brain. It may take a series of examinations and tests to identify the underlying cause of symptoms. But the first step is for the patient or family members to recognize when professional help is needed.