Do you have to have a family history to get Dementia?

I do not know. My father died at 36. My Mom did not start having problems until she was 86 which I think would be natural at that age.
 
Prayers for your girlfriend and for you. There are many different types of dementia, with differing causes, known and unknown.
 

My mom had it. Her mom had it. I hear my oldest brother is showing signs. My dad was sharp as a tack until the day he died.
 
I watched my paternal grandfather and my Dad both go though Dementia.
Both had Alzheimer's, which delevoped into Dementia.

My doctor asked if I wanted to get tested for the apolipoprotein E4 (APOE) gene.
(It's possible that gene can be passed down to the next generation.)

Somethings you just don't want to know.
Worrying about something I can't control, wouldn't do much good.

I watch for symptoms of Alzheimer's and try to do things to help like diet, exercise, etc.

As each year passes, I have increased the things that give my joy.
Travel and hobbies and Family.

I record my thoughts and experiences from my past just incase.

Normal to have it in the back of your mind, without dwelling on it.
 
Robert59 said:
My girlfriend has been found to have this condition and I've been feeling bad also bad. My problem might be stress. Girlfriend has B-polar 1
Click to expand...

If you have been feeling bad, I would, absolutely, take an appointment with the doc and get assessed.

With almost every illness, early intervention makes a HUGE difference!

And if you have something, make sure to ask the doc if there are memory exercises or other things you should be doing to protect and maximize your health!
 
One more thing, re dementia.

Fear creates exaggerated scenarios.

In even the very worst cases of dementia, the patients are not "Gone." Their entire being is not "destroyed."


But, sure they are living in an alternative state of mind.

That state of mind can be much like very absorbed daydreaming...and not some state of hell.

In that state of mind, they can still have peace and joy and all sorts of positive things.

Even if their connection to the external world is more and more diminished.


So, you should never look at the prospect of dementia as some kind of state of doom. That is not what is going in their minds and hearts...at all.

take care
 
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This 'alternate' state can be very scary to observe in a person, especially if it is a love-one.

Sitting talking to my Dad during this time was the hardest thing I have ever been though.
I know it was hard on him also.

He did not know who I was, I was now his best friend who was with him during WWII.
His wife, my mother, was now the 'nice lady who brought him treats', she was without a name.

At the very end, he just sat and lived inside somewhere, without knowing things around him.

I hope that whatever thoughts and feeling were present at the end were pleasant ones, he earned that
by the life he led.
 
Feelslikefar said:
This 'alternate' state can be very scary to observe in a person, especially if it is a love-one.

Sitting talking to my Dad during this time was the hardest thing I have ever been though.
I know it was hard on him also.

He did not know who I was, I was now his best friend who was with him during WWII.
His wife, my mother, was now the 'nice lady who brought him treats', she was without a name.

At the very end, he just sat and lived inside somewhere, without knowing things around him.

I hope that whatever thoughts and feeling were present at the end were pleasant ones, he earned that
by the life he led.
Click to expand...

Exactly. To the observer it is a horror show. But what is actually going on in their minds is very different.

Yes, I think you can be confident, that inside he did have peace and some happiness.

Very sorry for your loss.
 
JonSR77 said:
If you have been feeling bad, I would, absolutely, take an appointment with the doc and get assessed.

With almost every illness, early intervention makes a HUGE difference!

And if you have something, make sure to ask the doc if there are memory exercises or other things you should be doing to protect and maximize your health!
Click to expand...
I play memory games on Facebook everyday.
 
My mom had it going into her mid and late 80's. She had to go to a nursing home since she would keep trying to walk around and fall. She hated every day in that nursing home. She didn't know much except that she hated being there and would ask, everyday, to go home.

I go out running every other day to keep up my leg strength. They say that this physical exercise can possibly prevent dementia. But if it can keep me from falling, it could keep me out a home for as long as possible.
 
Yes and no, nothing diagnosed as Alzheimer’s however both my father and grandfather died of Parkinson’s. Father in his 80s, grandfather 90s.

I believe Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are closely related. My father also showed some signs of dementia before he died. Dr blamed it on the Parkinson's, but it sure looked like Alzheimer's to me.

Not looking forward to either...
 
JonSR77 said:
One more thing, re dementia.

Fear creates exaggerated scenarios.

In even the very worst cases of dementia, the patients are not "Gone." Their entire being is not "destroyed."


But, sure they are living in an alternative state of mind.

That state of mind can be much like very absorbed daydreaming...and not some state of hell.

In that state of mind, they can still have peace and joy and all sorts of positive things.

Even if their connection to the external world is more and more diminished.


So, you should never look at the prospect of dementia as some kind of state of doom. That is not what is going in their minds and hearts...at all.

take care
Click to expand...
Thank you for this explanation, it puts a more positive light on the subject, one that we could all use. I am trying to help a friend although not yet diagnosed is displaying all the signs of dementia. It can be challenging.
 
My paternal grandmother had Alzheimer's disease (back then called "hardening of the arteries"). My father didn't have it, and on my mother's side everyone has been sharp as a tack up until 87, 89, 90 and 98 y/o, so fingers crossed. I exercise and play 3 different word games on my phone every day to try to keep mentally fit.
 
My grandfather and my father had dementia, but my father's three brothers and one sister did not have dementia. I sure am hoping that I do not have it.
 
Most people with dementia are paranoid and suspicious. Imagine waking up everyday not knowing who the people are and where you are. It’s very unpleasant and it’s why many need medication for anxiety and some people hallucinate. It’s also difficult before when they are still aware of the fact that they are having memory issues. I spent my career as a social worker and working with people with disabilities. Teaching was my part time retirement gig.
 
Feelslikefar said:
I watch for symptoms of Alzheimer's and try to do things to help like diet, exercise, etc.

As each year passes, I have increased the things that give my joy.
Travel and hobbies and Family.

I record my thoughts and experiences from my past just incase.

Normal to have it in the back of your mind, without dwelling on it.
Click to expand...
Yes, genetics play a part, lifestyle does the rest, not just with Dementia but general health matters.
Getting enough Deep Sleep is important, is when the plaque that accumulates in the brain connections gets removed.
 
I am sure deep, restful sleep is important.
Never been able to sleep more than 6 hours since I can remember.
4 to 6 is my norm.
Wish that wasn't the case.

Seems my 'internal' clock got messed up with all the weird shift's I've worked.

This started and continued for 20+ years in the USAF and then working for another 15 years with
a rotating schedule of 12 hours days for 2 weeks, then 2 weeks of 12-hour night shifts per month.
The body never gets use to making the 'switch'.

Never had any luck with over-the-counter or prescriptions.
 
Robert59 said:
My girlfriend has been found to have this condition and I've been feeling bad also bad. My problem might be stress. Girlfriend has B-polar 1
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear this. Sounds like a "double'whammy." Reminds me of my late wife's brother and his wife. The brother had dementia and his wife had Alzheimer's. The "funny" thing (not really a laughing matter) is that while the brother knew he had dementia, his wife, who had Alzheimer's never knew she had it. She was as happy as a "pig in the manure pile."

Nope! Nobody on my side of the family had either one of these health problems. My take on prevention is to keep active. Go out for coffee, take a walk and be with people. The mind is a muscle and needs to be exercised regularly. Many folks like to do crossword or some other type of mind activity. Having a hobby or better hobbies is a great way to keep the mind in gear. Spend some time with the grand kids if they are around.

If you want to get it (bad joke here), just sit around and watch the TV all day long. Isolating yourself from folks is a good way to start slipping. Don't join any activities, forget that coffee club down the hallway and never, I mean never show up for "Happy Hour." They're just a bunch of drunk ole' geezers! Get rid of all your books, photos and hobbies. What is the use? We're all gonna be dead real soon! Watch a lot of news everyday to show what a lousy, rotten world it is. What's the use of being nice to anyone because we are all doomed!
 

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