Muscle Loss Dementia

Dementia affects more than the brain’s memory and cognitive abilities; it can also lead to physical decline. Most of the time, people with dementia may experience:

• Tired legs
• Needing a short rest after walking a few steps
• Difficulty standing up from a lying position
• Walking slower than before
• Struggle with maintaining balance while walking

This is called Sarcopenia, a condition in which muscles weaken over time. Let’s understand in detail how it relates to dementia or memory problems.

Case Study: Margaret’s Journey

Margaret is a 72-year-old woman who was diagnosed with dementia three years ago. Initially, her memory problems were mild. She was still able to take care of herself by cooking and doing other household chores. Her daughter, Sarah, noticed that Margaret would sometimes forget where she put her keys or repeat the same story, but she was still the same Margaret as in old times (when she did not have dementia).

About six months ago, she told Sarah that her feet were hurting and she was feeling a little tired. She started holding onto the nearby furniture while walking around the house. Sara thought it might be due to sitting for long periods of time.

Margaret started falling frequently. The falls weren’t serious, but she would lose her balance and need to hold on to something. Sarah took her to the doctor, who tested for heart problems and blood pressure, and checked her medications. Everything was normal. Sarah didn’t know what to do. This was hard for her, because sometimes her mother seemed stronger and was able to walk like before; and other days, she could barely walk to the kitchen.

Over time, Margaret’s movement worsened. She could only walk about two meters and then she had to sit down. She started using a walker, but even then, she felt unsteady. Sarah took care of her mother’s dressings because she was having difficulty keeping one foot on the ground. During Margaret’s follow-up appointment with a geriatric psychiatrist, the doctor explained that reduced muscle strength is one of the common symptoms in dementia patients. Her psychiatrist, along with her orthopedist, developed a treatment plan based on the test results to improve her mobility.

Why does muscle loss happen in dementia patients?

It’s a brain-body connection. The brain controls all body functions, including muscles. When dementia occurs, the parts of the brain responsible for movement are also affected. Just like a telephone line with a poor connection, the brain struggles to send the message to move the muscles, but the message isn’t received clearly, altering its execution.

People with dementia may experience further decline in muscle strength for several reasons:

• First reason, as mentioned before, the brain may not be able to contract muscles properly.
• Sedentary life: Not being physically active while young or throughout one’s life often results in the loss of muscle mass.
• Balanced diet: Sometimes their diet doesn’t include enough protein to keep muscles strong.
• Vitamin D deficiency is also widely reported, as it can cause muscle weakness.
• Certain medications can also cause muscle weakness.
• Insufficient blood supply to the legs can lead to muscle problems.

Emotional Impact on Families

It is devastating to see a family member become weak or have difficulty moving around due to dementia. Most family members feel distress and fear. Many questions bother them in their minds, like:

• “Is this normal, or is it possibly happening for some other reason?”
• “Will this heal soon?”
• “Can we do something to help them?”
• “Do I need to get them a wheelchair?”

This is a natural way for people to think and feel; it’s not easy to see a loved one struggle or lose their ability to move and do basic tasks, such as going to the bathroom or getting up from a chair. Caregivers may feel guilty for not being able to help more, or they may be frustrated by physicians’ inability to provide clear answers.

The Role of Mental Health Support

For a person with dementia, seeking help from a mental health professional is crucial. Psychiatric support should not be limited to the affected individual alone, but should also include the family.

First of all, people with dementia often experience weakness and find it very difficult to cope. They may become very frustrated and feel:

• Worried about not being able to find support when they lose control of their legs
• Distressed by their own lack of movement
• Sad about losing their independence
• Afraid of disturbing others, feeling like a burden
• Anger about changes in their body

A mental health expert, whether consulting an offline or online psychiatrist, understands emotional distress and can help provide coping strategies, therapy, and other necessary support. With the follow-ups, they adjust the treatment plan according to the patient’s condition so that the patient remains in good health.

Second, mental health care is just as important for family members as it is for patients. Therefore, caregivers, don’t neglect your mental and emotional distress. Seeking help early can lead to better outcomes.

Third, obtain support when caring for a family member with dementia and muscle weakness. A professional qualified guidance helps you with:

• Understanding what’s happening when the condition worsens
• Creating coping strategies for bad days
• Ease the distress process
• Making decisions about how best to provide care

Daily practices to enhance the effectiveness of treatment and keep muscle loss dementia under control are often recommended, some of them include:

• Encourage activity, such as a short walk, yoga, or tai chi.
• Physical therapy by a physiotherapist.
• Make sure they get a protein-rich diet (e.g, eggs, chicken, fish, beans, and milk). Protein is a muscle-building nutrient.
• Make your home safer. Try removing any items that could pose a risk of falling or slipping. Install grab bars in your bathroom with adequate lighting.
• Support with psychological needs.

The Takeaway

Neuromuscular problems are one of the common struggles in dementia patients. Understanding the muscle-brain relationship enables both patients and caregivers to address this issue early.

More importantly, mental health support is a necessity. It helps families manage the emotional challenges that occur with dementia, while also taking care of their own health. This kind of support lightens everyone’s burden, making them prepared for the challenges that come their way.