Question 1

can a 17 yr old have dementia ?

Accepted Answer

Dementia: It is a disease of old people when they lose memory gradually due a deteriorating old brain. Intellectual functions deteriorates slowly also...A 17years old person can have other diseases that can cause a gradual loss of intelligence and capacity to adapt to life. Mental retardation can be a result of brain problems that occur after a normal birth.

Question 2

what kind of experience is it to die of pneumonia in an 94 yr old dementia patient ?

Accepted Answer

I do not know.: I wouldn't presume to know, as I have never experienced it. I would wish for anyone who is dying, that the  experience be as peaceful as possible. Take care.

Question 3

what criteria do i use to assess if my 79 yr old mom (dementia) can remain independantly in her home without my presence? she is clingy and lonely.

Accepted Answer

None for assurance: Just being realistic.  There is no criteria that will give you confident assurance.  Being elderly and demented she has definite probability of getting into trouble sooner or later.  Certainly, she might get away with being alone for a while, maybe even a long while; but, there is no criteria you could use to guarantee this.  Abrupt change can happen.   Unfortunate, difficult, but true.

Question 4

how much of a risk is there for a 49 yr old man to develop dementia/alzheimer's from light to moderate use of xanax (alprazolam) .25 to .50 mg once or twice a week?

Accepted Answer

Some studies suggest: a connection between longer-term benzo use and dementia.   Here's a link:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/13/benzodiazepines.aspx

For more definitive info, go to the  National Institute of Health (a gov. site that will give you the real deal on studies like this.

http://search.nih.gov/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&amp;affiliate=nih&amp;query=xanax+and+dementia&amp;commit.x=14&amp;commit.y=9

Question 5

what is it like to have pneumonia in an 94 yr old dementia patient who is dnr?

Accepted Answer

Terminal: Most patients with dementia, especially alzheimer's disease, eventually die from an infection, especially pneumonia.  Many families are realistic about prognosis, and provide a dnr instruction to allow a death with dignity.

Question 6

is it wise to have a 90%coratid artery on the left side fixed by surgery on a 74 yr old male with mild to moderate dementia. meds did not help?

Accepted Answer

Depends: there are important questions you need to consider. confidence from vascular surgeon based on experience and results as well as honesty.  the quality of life - since this person has dementia, the outcome of surgery may not be great due to the possibility of delirium and complications from surgery such as stroke and others.

Question 7

in 80 yr old seniors  when taking the cognitive decline test from mental health services (for signs of dementia), if the patient already has dyslexia would this interfere with the result in causing a false test result in the diagnosing of dementia ?

Accepted Answer

: Dyslexia might make it difficult for a cognitively impaired senior to accurately complete the testing, but these are screening studies and not as comprehensive or as accurate as a full scale neuropsychological test battery.  Nonetheless, such tests do provide a pathway to further evaluations.  MRI imaging can be very objectifying, and an EEG would likewise help.  A neurologist may be very useful.

Question 8

should my 80 yr old father with significant back pain but normal activity have spinal fusion, since he has dementia w/little short term memory?

Accepted Answer

Spinal fusion is a: big surgery, so many factors need to be taken into consideration before undergoing such procedure.  Can he withstand general anesthesia? Does he have too much dementia to understand instructions for recovery afterwards? Did he have good mobility before the surgery? Has he had other spinal surgeries before? How is his cardiac and pulmonary health? etc.. Thanks for trusting  in HealthTap.

Question 9

88 yr old mother with dementia is more alert & talkative when she's sleep deprived. is there a reason?

Accepted Answer

Activating effect: Sleep deprivation has a well characterized mood elevating quality as well as a capacity for changing behavior in ways that you may not predict.  For example, if the inhibiting effect of the frontal lobe and higher brain centers is compromised in the context of sleep deprivation an individual with dementia may become more disinhibited and impulsive and could even lead to hyperactivity. Stay safe!

Question 10

87 yr old, my sister, tak antidepressant. her husband died 2 yrs ago & she is filled w anxiety & depression. she hs vascular dementia. cried every day for 2 yrs 2x day.she 4gets he died. need 2 control this anxiety & depression.is prozac good 4 her?

Accepted Answer

: Managing dementia Isa very individual issue and you need to discuss with her Drs.  It is also difficult for the family. Serif there support group your Dr can recommend.  Wish I wad there to be able to help.

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Doctor answers about:

Can a 17 yr old have dementia

A member asked:

Can a 17 yr old have dementia ?

A member asked:

What kind of experience is it to die of pneumonia in an 94 yr old dementia patient ?

A member asked:

What criteria do i use to assess if my 79 yr old mom (dementia) can remain independantly in her home without my presence? she is clingy and lonely.

A member asked:

How much of a risk is there for a 49 yr old man to develop dementia/alzheimer's from light to moderate use of xanax (alprazolam) .25 to .50 mg once or twice a week?

A member asked:

What is it like to have pneumonia in an 94 yr old dementia patient who is dnr?

A member asked:

Is it wise to have a 90%coratid artery on the left side fixed by surgery on a 74 yr old male with mild to moderate dementia. meds did not help?

A member asked:

In 80 yr old seniors when taking the cognitive decline test from mental health services (for signs of dementia), if the patient already has dyslexia would this interfere with the result in causing a false test result in the diagnosing of dementia ?

A member asked:

Should my 80 yr old father with significant back pain but normal activity have spinal fusion, since he has dementia w/little short term memory?

A member asked:

88 yr old mother with dementia is more alert & talkative when she's sleep deprived. is there a reason?

A member asked:

87 yr old, my sister, tak antidepressant. her husband died 2 yrs ago & she is filled w anxiety & depression. she hs vascular dementia. cried every day for 2 yrs 2x day.she 4gets he died. need 2 control this anxiety & depression.is prozac good 4 her?

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