"In our practice, we see a late-life variant of PTSD. Although we have a few surviving World War II vets, most have fought in Korea, Vietnam and other conflicts....
"In dementia, the day-to-day is lost, but memories of times past float unbidden to the surface....
"Meanwhile, we make sure that the patient is on medication to treat dementia. We fine-tune medicines that affect the brain, such as anxiety, antidepressant and sleeping medicines. We want to discontinue anything that would make the patient more confused.
"Keep the house sunny and bright during the day and have adequate light in the evening.
"Keep the patient physically active during the day.
"The patient must eliminate alcohol.
"But our main tip is to remove any negative or upsetting media. We encourage families to avoid shows with explosions, violence, horror or evil. That includes the news.
"It seems to be a vicious cycle — vets who suffered from PTSD are twice as likely to develop dementia, and veterans who have dementia often have a flare of previously suppressed PTSD.
Some of our older vets thought they were immune to PTSD. But eventually it bubbles to the surface. And we have to be there to help...."
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