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Epilepsy Association of Western Australia (Inc.)
Annual
General Meeting Thursday October 30th 2008 @ 6.00pm
17th Annual Epilepsy
Seminar
Annual Audit 2008
www.epilepsy.org.au
Latest
Epilepsy News
Epilepsy Research
(Posh Spice)
Her
son Romeo has Epilepsy
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Older people and epilepsy
Growing old has many challenges: growing old with a diagnosis of epilepsy is a
challenge in itself. Yet epilepsy is a challenge that can be managed. Coming to
terms with a diagnosis of epilepsy, accepting you have seizures and having to
take regular medication to control them can at first seem overwhelming. Added to
this are the possible restrictions or adjustments you may need to make to daily
living. Your fear of injury, your anxiety with having a seizure in public and
your concern with the time taken to recover from a seizure, may result in
confusion, social isolation and loss of independence. Understanding your
epilepsy and sharing your diagnosis with family members, friends and concerned
others will help you overcome these concerns and help preserve your quality of
life.
You are not alone. People over 65 years experience the highest incidence of
first seizures apart from children under 5 years. A common cause of epilepsy in
the elderly is stroke while other possible causes are head injuries, infection,
alcoholism, tumours and dementia. As happens with other age groups, some older
people develop epilepsy without a known cause. Diagnosing epilepsy in older
people can be difficult and some people will have had seizure activity for years
before a correct diagnosis is made. If your partner or a family member or friend
has observed certain events, their recollection and description of what has
occurred can prove invaluable to your doctor’s diagnosis.
Your seizures can be controlled by antiepileptic medication and that medication
does not cause cumulative damage. While the aim of treatment is to control
seizures with minimum adverse side effects, current research and clinical
experience indicate that some older people may experience more undesirable side
effects such as unsteadiness when walking, or fatigue. Your doctor will guide
you through this initial stage of choosing the right medication for you. Most
problems can usually be avoided with the range of medications now available.
Over 70% of older people diagnosed with epilepsy will achieve complete seizure
control on appropriate antiepileptic medication.
A diagnosis of epilepsy can impact on your life in many ways. If you are the
driver in your household not being allowed to drive until your seizures are
under control may mean that for a short time two people become housebound. This
is the time that family and friends can help or you start to get to know your
local taxi driver or seek out your local community support services. Your
Epilepsy Australia affiliate will be able to advise you of available transport
support in your geographical location. You may decide that it is time to give up
your licence anyway and have planned for that eventuality.
You may also experience a loss of confidence after a fall and your fear of
further falls may stop you from enjoying life as you should. This is
understandable but it will pass. As your seizures become controlled your
confidence will return. A healthy lifestyle can also help you control your
seizures. By getting adequate sleep having a good diet, controlling the stress
in your life, limiting your intake of alcohol, and getting plenty of exercise
you can improve your seizure control and general well-being. For more
information about healthy living strategies contact your epilepsy association.
Safety in the home is an important issue for everyone. A home visit by an
occupational therapist can advise you on the necessary safety precautions
relevant to your seizure type and frequency. Your epilepsy counsellor will also
be able to suggest practical ways to help make your surroundings as safe as
possible. If you live alone you may wish to consider wearing a personal alarm
which is connected via telephone to a monitoring centre. You can set off the
alarm intentionally if you need emergency help, or the alarm will activate
itself if you have a fall. A person will call you back immediately to see what
is the matter. If you do not respond an ambulance is despatched. The are several
products on the market all operating in much the same way. They can provide
peace of mind for those living alone and for family who worry about you.
Similarly, wearing a ‘medicalert’ bracelet or pendant, can alert people to the
fact that you have epilepsy should a seizure occur while you are out.
At times it may be difficult to remember if you have taken your medication as
prescribed. Dosette boxes have separate compartments to place all the tablets
required for a week or a day. A glance at the dispenser will reassure you that
no dose has been missed. People who are unable to manage their own medication
may find it helpful to have the dosette box packed weekly by a professional.
Dosette boxes are available through most pharmacies and some discount shops.
Yes, epilepsy can be challenging but by accepting that challenge and being
positive about it, life will still be fulfilling for you.
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