Kevin Jameson speaking recently to the Newtown Business Association.
Credit: Ingrid Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Kevin Jameson knows the ravages of dementia all too well.
Jameson’s first wife passed away from dementia in 2014. In the time since, Jameson, a retired businessman, has become president and chairman of the Bucks County-based Dementia Society of America.
His wife Ginny sustained a head injury in a 2001 car accident. As time went on and she recovered, she began to forget familiar places and things, which led to her eventually spending four years at Neshaminy Manor before entering hospice at Chandler Hall.
“We had no idea she had any negative affect, except that her personality did become more difficult,” Jameson said. He added that couples therapy led to various doctors and then eventually a dementia diagnosis.
“Only looking back could we see a possible connection to her head trauma,” Jameson said.
His wife’s diagnosis got Jameson involved in raising awareness and searching for a cure to the illness that leads to death for many around the world.
“We are where we were with cancer 50 years ago and the dreaded ‘C’ word and now, no one wants to talk about it, the ‘D’ word,” Jameson said recently at an event sponsored by the Newtown Business Association.
The society defines dementia as an umbrella term, like cancer. Dementia affects two or more areas of brain function such as, memory, decision making, behavior or motor skills. Memory loss is not considered having dementia.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s are two words that are interchanged but are very different. A set of symptoms diagnoses dementia, however, Alzheimer’s is a very specific form of dementia which is irreversible and incurable.
The Dementia Society of America focuses on educating people and presenting all the dimensions in prevention. One of the programs Jameson’s organization offers is music therapy which allows a patient to enjoy and express their feelings through this medium.
Members of the Newtown Business Association listen to Jameson speak.
Credit: Ingrid Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Jameson said brain health is important. Falls and head injuries such as those suffered by many athletes also known as CTE (Chronic Traumatic Enceplaopathy) can lead to dementia. Doctors have stressed for years the importance of wearing protective head gear when engaging in certain activities.
Jameson also discussed vascular function has a direct impact on brain health. Walking, no smoking, curbing excessive use of alcohol are all positive things we can do to maintain our brain health. There are some dimensions that are reversible that can cause dementia such as UTI’s, drug interactions and water on the brain.
The good news is we can help aid in keeping our brains healthy. Networking, being social, learning a new language and traveling to experience new environments keeps our brain’s sharp.
Mother’s Day will be the start of the Step2Raise Dementia and Brian Health Awareness Challenge. The event will put a spotlight to raise awareness about dementia and related conditions. The Step2Raise event will end on Father’s Day with a walk from the Lincoln Memorial to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.
For more information, visit dementiasociety.org.
