– This affects so many aspects of life

Less than 20 minutes ago

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In Fyllingsdalen, there is war on TV. In front of the screen are Bjarne Hekland (83) and his son Bård.

The two are involved in what is happening in Ukraine. The 83-year-old, who was diagnosed with dementia two years ago, understands well what is happening and knows the names of several of the actors.

But if you ask the retired pharmacist how old he is, he hesitates:

– Yes, let me see now. 3 … yes, 53 years!

The son laughs: – If you add 30, then you are absolutely right.

He adds:

– This is how the disease manifests itself for father. Some days and in some areas he is at full height. He has problems with numbers.

Renew your driver’s license

In the autumn of 2020, Bjarne Hekland was summoned to an appointment at Haraldsplass Diakonale Hospital.

In advance, he had been to the GP to renew his driver’s license. The GP felt insecure and referred him to the geriatric section at Haraldsplass.

His wife Brita joined the consultation at the hospital. A few hours later, the two left with the diagnosis in hand.

Hekland had dementia, as did over 100,000 other Norwegians.

In 30 years, the number with dementia will probably double. Dementia is becoming our biggest health challenge. The population is aging, and with increasing age, the risk of contracting the disease increases.

At Haraldsplass, approximately 350 dementia diagnoses are made annually.

Almost two hours are set aside for such a dementia examination. While the patient tests memory, number sense and other mental abilities, relatives are able to map their situation and fill in the picture of the patient. At the end, there will be a joint conversation.

MRI or CT images of the brain have been taken in advance. In some cases, several examinations are needed to establish a definite diagnosis. But for the majority, the answer is clear after this first consultation, according to section chief physician Paal Naalsund.

– Be open

There are no medications that can stop the dementia, just slow down the symptoms for a few years.

Naalsund still believes it is valuable to get a diagnosis, both in terms of medical follow-up and in contact with the environment.

Not least, the diagnosis is a tool for openness, something Naalsund encourages all patients to do.

– Before, there was a lot of shame about getting dementia. Now there is a greater understanding that this can affect anyone.

– They ask about everything

The following year, the Hekland family was back at Haraldsplass. This time as participants in two courses. One for relatives and one for patients.

They found the courses very useful, both the information from the professionals and hearing the experiences of other relatives.

– It is good that the relatives course is open to more than the spouse, the son says.

– Dementia is a disease that also affects adult children and others in close relatives.

Haraldsplass holds courses twice a year. Bergen municipality and Olaviken geriatric psychiatric hospitals also offer dementia courses.

Naalsund teaches such courses.

– What questions do you get from relatives and patients?

– They ask about everything, from disease development to practical matters around finances and driver’s licenses. The latter is a very sensitive topic, he says and adds:

– Dementia is a disease of the brain and the brain is the human being. Therefore, dementia is different from disease in other organs. The patient himself has limited insight into his own diagnosis. For relatives, it is difficult to experience that a person you love changes and loses skills.

– Life still has a lot to offer

Naalsund has long lists with good advice for relatives. Perhaps the most important are these, he says:

– Have respect for the person who has developed dementia and does not reduce him or her to a patient. Be patient and carry on with the repetitions. Anyone who is ill will not understand why others get angry and annoyed.

– Then it is important to take care of yourself. Ask for help in time. And remember that life still has a lot to offer in the form of positive experiences together. The development is gradual and it is possible to live reasonably well with dementia for several years.

Brita Hekland has taken care of the course material and brings it out when new questions arise:

– The professionals were good at explaining, but this affects so many aspects of life.

Hekland quickly contacted the municipality and the assessment team on a visit. The representative from there informed about possible offers.

At the end of March, he starts at the day center one day a week. Then he has been on the waiting list for two months.

Elin Wathne, director of assessment and rehabilitation in Bergen municipality, writes to BT that there is a waiting list for day centers in all districts.

– Seek help early

Bård Hekland says it is difficult to keep track of who does what and where there is help to get.

– There are so many and to some extent overlapping different bodies to deal with, he says.

Wathne writes that the municipality has a dementia coordinator available for those who do not receive services. If they receive home services or use a day center, the contact person there is often given the role of coordinator

Brita Hekland has the following advice for other families affected by dementia:

– Seek contact with aid agencies early. Everyone wants to fend for themselves, but at some point the family needs relief.

Bjarne Hekland is wearing the hiking clothes. Equipped with GPS, he is out hiking every single day. Preferably with his grandson Olve (17). The hiking opportunities are many from the terraced house in Vassteigen.

For many years he was an avid participant in the word game hangman. At the top of the world, in fact, points out the son, who is convinced that physical activity and brain exercise have slowed down his father’s illness.

– It is important to use both head and body, says the 83-year-old himself.