The former minister of the GSI (Institutional Security Office), general Augusto Heleno, informed the Brazilian Army that he has been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease since 2018. The information was passed on to the Army during a forensic examination carried out on Tuesday (26).
The procedure was carried out at the Military Command in Planalto, in Brasília, to check the condition before entering the prison system and to identify previous illnesses.
O is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that manifests itself with cognitive and memory deterioration, in addition to progressive impairment of daily activities and behavioral changes, according to the Ministry of Health.
As it is a progressive disease, symptoms are milder in the early stages. Therefore, it is possible for the patient to maintain autonomy, decision-making capacity and functional preservation in most daily and professional activities, according to Diogo Haddad, head of the Specialized Center for Neurology at Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz.
“Early diagnosis, now more viable thanks to new biomarkers and imaging tests, allows the condition to be identified even in the phase called Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, when there are changes in memory and attention, but global functioning is still preserved”, he states.
According to the expert, at this stage, a structured routine and continuity of intellectual and social activities are fundamental.
“Working, teaching, reading, writing, solving problems are tasks that activate neural networks that favor functional compensation and delay the most significant clinical manifestation of the disease”, he explains. “The brain has a ‘cognitive reserve’ that, when stimulated, helps maintain performance even in the presence of initial neuropathological changes”, he adds.
When does Alzheimer’s begin to impact cognitive activity?
Alzheimer’s can cause more serious effects on cognition as it progresses, but the time in which this happens varies from one person to another and depends on factors such as the type of work, level of cognitive demand, level of education, presence of comorbidities and even the emotional and social support that the patient receives.
“In general, in the mild phases, many people remain productive for a few years with adaptations in pace and concentration demands. As the impairment of memory, attention and judgment intensifies, complex activities become more difficult to perform safely and consistently”, explains Haddad.
When the disease progresses to moderate stages, the functional impact becomes more evident, according to the expert: tasks that involve planning, decision-making, responsibility for other people or finances tend to be compromised. “At this point, the gradual withdrawal from work is usually guided to avoid risks and preserve the patient’s dignity”, he states.
In fact, a person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can request disability retirement if they are totally and permanently unable to work. To do this, you must schedule a medical examination at the INSS (National Social Security Institute) via the website or app or by calling 135.
How to maintain good cognition after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis?
After an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, it is possible to take care of cognition through lifestyle changes and greater intellectual engagement, according to Haddad.
A routine with multiple stimuli is recommended, such as cognitive activities (reading, learning new skills, mental games), regular physical exercise, social interaction, good quality of sleep and strict control of cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, such as diabetes and diabetes.
“Staying at work, when possible and safe, can be beneficial, as it helps to preserve identity, sense of purpose and cognitive engagement. The important thing is to adjust demands to current capacity, creating a supportive and welcoming environment”, says the expert.
“This combination of mental stimulation, emotional support and healthy habits has shown concrete results in preserving cognitive function and improving quality of life, even in the face of an Alzheimer’s diagnosis”, he adds.
