Build Your Mental Health Toolkit
OCT 02, 2024Think of a mental health toolkit as a collection of strategies you can access whenever you need them. It’s about equipping yourself to handle challenges in a healthy way.
Read MoreStruggling to remember a word or name, forgetting why you walked into a room, getting lost in a once-familiar area. These momentary lapses are often called “senior moments,” and they sometimes signal something more serious: the onset of dementia.
Almost 10 percent of US adults ages 65 and older have dementia. Another 22 percent have mild cognitive impairment. What’s the difference?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, up to 40% of dementia cases may be prevented or delayed. That’s why it’s important to discuss signs of dementia with your provider and take action to address your risk factors.
The following are early signs of dementia. If you experience any of the following, talk to your primary care provider.
Addressing your risk factors early can help delay or even prevent the onset of dementia. Steps you can take include:
Other risk factors cannot be addressed, such as age and race/ethnicity. Older African Americans are twice as likely to have dementia as Caucasian people, and Hispanic people are 1.5 times more likely. Past traumatic brain injuries are also a risk factor.
When dementia is suspected, several tools are used to diagnose your condition. These include a physical exam, cognitive tests, blood and spinal fluid tests and brain scans. A diagnosis of dementia can be distressing and overwhelming, but there are resources for support. Newer medications also offer hope for slowing disease progression and improving quality of life.
If you or a loved one has questions or concerns, reach out to your Primary Care provider or Neurologist.
Think of a mental health toolkit as a collection of strategies you can access whenever you need them. It’s about equipping yourself to handle challenges in a healthy way.
Read MoreEating a good meal before trick or treating, planning a costume party, and keeping an eye on candy consumption are just a few tricks for a healthier Halloween.
Read MoreWe encourage all to get their flu and other vaccinations each year to avoid these and secondary issues or even hospitalization.
Read MoreWhen you need local health information from a trusted source, turn to the CHI Health Better You eNewsletter.