During one of my live “Cracking the Dementia Code” workshops, a participant, “Chelsea,” approached me to tell a story about her Dad, “Charles.”
Chelsea recalled firsthand witnessing the significance of understanding the meaning behind the behavior changes she saw in her father, who suffers from dementia. She observed his shift from appearing normal to suddenly displaying odd and unfamiliar behavior. Having heard me emphasize the importance of investigating further into the meaning behind the behavior, Chelsea wanted me to hear about her story.
At the time of his changes, medical professionals conducted various tests on Charles and ultimately discovered the root cause behind his erratic behavior.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) Deficiency
The tests showed that Charles had vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in many bodily functions, including red blood cell formation, neurological function, DNA synthesis, and the maintenance of nerve cells.
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: anemia, muscle weakness, fatigue, mood changes including irritability and depression; and, increased heart rate, to name a few.
Charles is a vegan and his diet makes him lack this important micronutrient whose primary sources are: eggs, fish, poultry, meat, milk, and other dairy products.
The Solution to Charles’ Sudden Erratic Behaviour
Confirming that Charles is deficient in vitamin B12, the doctor prescribed B12 injections. Chelsea reported that although it took a few months, her Dad’s behaviour was slowly restored to his normal baseline behaviour soon after he received his first B12 dose.
Charles’ story is a clear example that demonstrates the importance of understanding the nature of dementia-related behaviours. Charles needed treatment and medical management. In this case, I am thankful that Chelsea’s dad was given lots of testing to figure out the reason for his behaviour. Sadly, sometimes I’ve heard stories of people being labeled as “old” and the reason for their changes is likely due to a “progressive non-curable type of dementia”. Advocating medical professionals to dig deeper to discover the underlying issue causing new changes in behaviours is what is needed.
If you have concerns about a loved one or a friend and don’t know what to do, you are not alone. Reach out and ask for help. We can help by brainstorming ideas with you that will best suit your situation. Begin by contacting us through our website www.DementiaSolutions.ca to arrange your free 20-minute consultation with one of our Dementia Care Advisors.
DISCLAIMER:
The contents of this blog are provided for information purposes only. They are not intended to replace clinical diagnosis or medical advice from a health professional.
