My Refer Thinks I have Dementia

Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Doc, My Fridge Thinks I Have Dementia

Filed under: Geriatrics , Medicine

Refrigerators, dishwashers, and doorways diagnosing dementia? Sounds crazy, right, but Dr. Jeffrey Kaye thinks tiny motion sensors strategically placed throughout the home may help doctors diagnose dementia (or chronic alcoholism?) sooner.

Tiny motion sensors are attached to the walls, doorways and even the refrigerator of Elaine Bloomquist's home, tracking the seemingly healthy 86-year-old's daily activity.

It's like spying in the name of science - with her permission - to see if round-the-clock tracking of elderly people's movements can provide early clues of impending Alzheimer's disease.

"Now it takes years to determine if someone's developing dementia," laments Dr. Jeffrey Kaye of Oregon Health & Science University, which is placing the monitors in 300 homes of Portland-area octogenarians as part of a $7 million federally funded project.

The goal: Shave off that time by spotting subtle changes in mobility and behavior that Alzheimer's specialists are convinced precede the disease's telltale memory loss.

Early predictors may be as simple as variations in speed while people walk their hallways, or getting slower at dressing or typing. Also under study are in-home interactive "kiosks" that administer monthly memory and cognition tests, computer keyboards bugged to track typing speed, and pill boxes that record when seniors forget to take their medicines.

Reporting Elder Abuse

... the Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates that there may be as many as 5 million victims of elder abuse every year.

Signs and symptoms of physical abuse include but are not limited to:

• bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, and rope marks;
  
• bone fractures, broken bones, and skull fractures;
  
• open wounds, cuts, punctures, untreated injuries in various stages of healing;
  
• sprains, dislocations, and internal injuries/bleeding;
  
• broken eyeglasses/frames, physical signs of being subjected to punishment, and signs of being restrained;
  
• laboratory findings of medication overdose or under utilization of prescribed drugs;
  
• an elder's report of being hit, slapped, kicked, or mistreated;
  
• an elder's sudden change in behavior; and
  
• the caregiver's refusal to allow visitors to see an elder alone.

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If you suspect that your loved one may be being abused...

1. If they are in immediate danger, call 911
2. If you have a nagging feeling, that something isn't right, call the department of social and health services.
3. If you feel you need support in your actions, contact the National Center on Elder Abuse.

The National Center on Elder Abuse can be reached at (202) 898-2586 or e-mail them at ncea@nasua.org. While they are unable to provide direct casework or handle individual elder abuse cases, they can put you in touch with those who can help.

National Center on Elder Abuse
1201 15th Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20005
Ph: (202) 898-2586
Fax: (202) 898-2583

Here are some more signs of elder abuse

While one sign does not necessarily indicate abuse, some tell-tale signs that there could be a problem are:

• Bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions, and burns may be an indication of physical abuse, neglect, or mistreatment.
  
• Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a sudden change in alertness, and unusual depression may be indicators of emotional abuse.
  
• Bruises around the breasts or genital area can occur from sexual abuse.
  
• Sudden changes in financial situations may be the result of exploitation.
  
• Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene, and unusual weight loss are indicators of possible neglect.
  
• Behavior such as belittling, threats, and other uses of power and control by spouses are indicators of verbal or emotional abuse.
  
• Strained or tense relationships, frequent arguments between the caregiver and elderly person are also signs. (lists and photo are from the National Center on Elder Abuse's website)