“. . . Thirty percent of new diagnosis of dementia occurring during the months of winter,” local psychiatrist Dr. Nestor H. Praderio said.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A recent Medical News Today study showed that Alzheimer’s disease disrupts seasonal gene expression in the brain, leading to a larger number of patients needing extra support during the colder months.
Marissa Ford is the walk manager for the local Alzheimer’s Association. She shared how the changing seasons can have an impact on patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“Sundowners is a symptom of Alzheimer’s patients that tends to happen because it gets dark earlier in the evening which causes the faculties and of people suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia to become confused,” she said.
As that confusion kicks in, those impacted may experience more frustration and might not register that they need extra layers of clothing before stepping outside.
“Being colder, patients don’t necessarily realize that they need to bundle up or wear more clothing so caregivers need more support in taking care of the Alzheimer’s patients and dementia patients” Ford said.
According to psychiatrist Dr. Nestor H. Praderio, many first find out that they have a cognitive illness in the winter months because of its effect on the brain.
“There’s approximately thirty percent of new diagnosis of dementia occurring during the months of winter,” he said. “Because the winter exacerbates symptoms that were not there before.”
Both experts say that caregivers may also begin to feel overwhelmed during this time. They advise to help the helpers in your family. Even doing something like small chores can make a big difference.
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