JIM “PAPPY” MOORE: Dementia

What’s that word? You know the one. It means when you might be losing your marbles and can’t quite put your finger on the word you’re looking for.  You know the one. … DEMENTIA! That’s it!!

Welcome to the ageing process. At first, it’s kind of funny. Like when you can’t remember the name of that famous actor who has been in all those action films. The ones about the adventurer. The ones about that Star Wars guy. The ones about the CIA or the President’s plane. … Harrison Ford! That’s it!

One of the first signs of the onset of dementia is searching for words you know but can’t quite find. You’ve had that quick “Jeopardy” mind for decades, with words, and phrases, and answers to questions available for easy access. Then it’s not so quick, not so easy any more.

It might be a famous football player, one you’d never forget. Oh, what was his name?! You know. He was from East Texas, he played for a Tyler School, then he went to UT, and then to the Oilers. … EARL CAMPBELL!

It might be where you put your keys. Now where did I put them?! I just had them!! I was getting ready to go to the store and …. Time to retrace those steps. They’ll be laying where you absent-mindedly put them. On the dresser. In the bathroom. In your coat pocket.

These can be signs of the onset of dementia. Forgetting the word Dementia may be a sign of the onset of dementia. What to do about it?

Do you find yourself inexplicably angry at others, perhaps exhibiting a hair trigger for your emotions? Flying off the handle?

Does grandma have special hiding places for certain things? Does she become cross when asked about them?

Does grandpa ever forget exactly where he is? What day of the week it is? What city he’s in? Whether it’s morning or night? Trouble with orientation can be a sign.

Does a relative have trouble comprehending a situation? Do they understand where they are? Who they are? Why people are asking them these questions?

Balance problems can indicate dementia. If someone tends to lose balance, it can be a sign of dementia.

Agitation and aggression are both signs of dementia in the ageing population. Short tempers abound in those with dementia.

If you know someone who is a caregiver for someone with dementia don’t ask them if you can help. Ask them what you can do to be helpful. They all need help, and they don’t get much of it. Husbands and wives who are caregiving a spouse with dementia are overworked and underappreciated. You may assume they need help and might never ask for it. They need others who understand their battle, and how consuming it can be for them.