Wearing dirty clothes can be a sign of dementia, say doctors
This is why the drop in hygiene can be a revealing symptom.
The beginning Signs of Alzheimer's disease And other forms of dementia can be easy to neglect or misunderstand normal aging. According to the National Institute of Aging (NIA), These may include Memory loss, bad judgment, disorientation, mood changes, etc.
In addition to this list, experts now say that there is another Red flag of dementia To monitor, especially if this represents a marked change in relation to the normal behavior of the person: wear dirty clothes. Read the rest to know why this subtle symptom can be so revealing and why it is important to ask for help if someone you love starts to dress in this way.
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Wearing dirty clothes can be a sign of dementia.
Although the memory loss is often considered the clearest sign that someone knows the first signs of dementia, experts say that there are many others who can suggest a neurological decline. Among them, NIA lists hygiene changes, including the difficulty of swimming, as a sign of light Alzheimer's disease.
According to a 2018 study published in the journal Geriatric gerontology and medicine , another specific hygiene change - Wear dirty clothes - Maybe also be a sign of dementia. In addition to simply forgetting to choose new clothes, "patients with dementia, in particular Alzheimer's disease, may not recognize that their clothes are dirty," explain the authors of the study.
For some patients with dementia, this may cause the same clothes for days or weeks, sometimes increasing their risk of infection or other health consequences.
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Agnosia, a characteristic of dementia, can worsen the problem.
Researchers explain that one of the main reasons why patients with dementia often wear dirty clothes is due to agnosia, the inability to interpret sensations and recognize familiar things.
"They can see food stains and discoloration of clothes and yet because of their agnosia are unable to integrate these observations and deduce that their clothes are dirty and must be modified," said the study. "They will therefore resist attempts to get them to change clothes, especially if these clothes are their favorites," write the authors.
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Caregivers should focus on health, not aesthetics, according to experts.
Many caregivers have trouble with this particular aspect of dementia, explains the charitable organization based in the United Kingdom, Alzheimer's society. "" Prepare is a very personal and private activity - and a person where a person can be used in privacy and to make their own decisions. As dementia progresses, they will need more help for daily activities, including washing, swimming, dressing and personal grooming, "write their experts.
By keeping in mind the delicate nature of this exchange between the patient and the caregiver, the authors of the study suggest focusing solely on health references rather than aesthetic changes. For example, although it is important for patients with dementia to wash regularly to avoid infections, it is unlikely that wearing dirty clothes such as a shirt stained with harm. AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
"Trying to convince patients that their clothes are dirty and, therefore, require a change that rarely succeeds. Arguing with patients who have dementia are futile, because they are unable to keep the essence of the argument," write the authors of the study. "The convincing facts ... are based on the recognition that the dress is dirty due to the stains, wrinkles and smell which, when integrated, can only lead to the conclusion that the dress is dirty. Patients with Alzheimer's disease are however impossible to integrate these various stimuli and to conclude that the dress is dirty. ""
These tips could help you prepare for success.
Experts say that caregivers can be able to minimize the problem of wearing dirty clothes by establishing certain routines around washing and dressing. For example, quickly removing dirty clothes from the room and replacing them with a clean outfit can eliminate the patient's temptation to put on unclean clothes.
"If the patient has favorite clothes, caregivers may want to buy duplicate sets to use when a set is washed. Alternatively, the clothes could be washed when the patient is asleep and does not wear this particular outfit," suggests the study authors.
Speak with a doctor if you notice substantial hygiene changes in a loved one, whether to do with the bath, grooming or dressing. Although there is no remedy for dementia, early diagnosis and rapid therapeutic intervention can help improve their quality of life in the future.
