What you don’t know can hurt you

Chalk it up to old misinformation.
   Canadians continue to dismiss symptoms of dementia as “old age,” shows a survey released earlier this month by the Alzheimer Society. According to an online survey conducted by the society last fall, almost half of Canadians lived a year or more with their symptoms before visiting a family doctor. Of these, 16 per cent waited more than two years.
Why? Those who were involved in the survey revealed that the most common reason for the delay (53 per cent) was the belief that the symptoms were part of “old age” and would eventually go away. Another 39 per cent said their symptoms were episodic or didn’t take them seriously enough. Over a quarter either refused to see a doctor or saw no need to go unless symptoms grew worse.
Waiting to see a doctor has its downside, though. A delayed diagnosis results in a huge treatment gap and prevents people from getting valuable information about medications, support and better disease management, says the society.
Caregivers suffer negatively, too. Three-quarters of respondents — caregivers of people with dementia — admitted that they wished they had sought a diagnosis sooner to have access to treatments to manage symptoms. They also recognized other benefits of getting a diagnosis when shown a list of these: 78 per cent of respondents said that early diagnosis would help them put their legal and financial affairs in order; 69 per cent said it would keep the person with dementia at home longer, and allow the person to actively participate in decision-making. Sixty-two per cent of respondents attributed better coping and living with the disease to early diagnosis.
Some may argue there is no value in a diagnosis. After all, a cure for Alzheimer’s has yet to be found. While there is no cure — yet, diagnosis can be “reassuring for both the person exhibiting symptoms and their family,” says Dr. Francine Lemire of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. “With early diagnosis, medications can help minimize symptoms and improve quality of life.”
Naguib Gouda, newly appointed CEO at the Alzheimer Society, says the society predicts the brain disorder will affect 1.1 million Canadians in the next 25 years. “While we don’t yet have a cure, we can offer treatment that may slow the progression of the disease, and a wealth of information to help people prepare for their future needs.”
Dementia is a complex disease but a diagnosis can be reassuring. Don’t chalk the warning signs up to old age. To promote the benefits of early diagnosis, this month during Alzheimer Awareness the Alzheimer Society launched its “Let’s face it!” campaign at www.alzheimerletsfaceit.ca. Take the time to learn more about dementia and its warning signs and download a “Preparing for your doctor’s visit” checklist.
This month, raise your awareness of the disease because when it comes to Alzheimer’s, what you don’t know can hurt you.