Monday, 20 July 2015

Beware of Apathy in Dementia

Almost all people with dementia will at some stage suffer from apathy. It is a common neurobehavioral symptom in many degenerative brain diseases, but it is a troubling time for carers, as it causes increased dementia symptoms making their job as carer increasingly difficult. Apathy is particularly prevalent in an un-stimulating environment. People with dementia who are left with little to do are much more likely to lose any motivation for even simple activities like eating and or bathing.

In 2013 The Centres for Disease Control, released a report that said that approximately 90% of people in nursing homes who had dementia experienced apathy at some point.

Carers need to watch closely for signs of apathy, as they may be disguised by the increased dementia symptoms, however on the surface they may resemble those of depression.

The difference between apathy and depression:

Although apathy and depression do share certain commonalties, the two are not the same. Apathy is a basic disinterest. A person with apathy will display obvious signs of timidity and show no signs of caring about what is happening in the world around them. A person with apathy will be unable to feel any emotion, and may respond in a neutral manner to both good and bad news. The right amount of stimulus however, should be able to draw a person out of an apathetic state.

Depression is a complex disorder involving a range of emotions. People who have depression are not numb to feeling, but will feel intense levels of powerlessness and sadness. Depression will not respond to stimulus and often needs long-term intervention of a psychologist and medication.

Avoiding apathy is not as simple as keeping someone with dementia active and stimulated, it seems that there is a fine balance between too much and too little activity, which will either result in a person being under-stimulated or they will become exhausted and lethargic. Consistent, moderate stimulation helps to maintain the right levels of serotonin to remain alert enough to want to partake in daily activities.

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