Clinical physician Ariel Flores Casella highlighted that while age may present certain risks, each individual case is unique. The quality of life and medical care play crucial roles in cognitive health. He noted, “Let’s acknowledge that if an everyday citizen deals with stress, a President of the United States likely faces even greater concerns.” During a discussion on Modo Fontevecchia, which airs on Net TV and Radio Perfil, he pointed out that the term “dementia” carries a significant stigma.
Flores Casella specializes in geriatrics, and the withdrawal of current U.S. President Joe Biden from his candidacy, at 81 years old, has sparked much debate. The discussion raises the question of whether age is simply a number or if it indicates a stage of cognitive decline, especially considering that Biden is only three years older than Donald Trump.
One crucial point is that ageism often leads to the misconception that older individuals are incapable of performing tasks due to their age. It’s important to clarify that being over 75 does not render a person obsolete or inevitably problematic. Biologically, it’s expected for some functions to decline with age. However, how well someone ages can also depend on their overall quality of life and the medical care they receive.
Biden’s situation serves as an opportunity to discuss cognitive health more widely. The terms associated with his age, such as “confusional syndrome,” have come up frequently in articles and videos about him. It’s essential to differentiate between acute and chronic confusional syndromes. Older people can experience confusion due to various stressors, whether emotional—such as sadness or anxiety—or physical, like an infectious process or pain, which may be temporary.
This distinction matters because chronic confusional syndromes are often linked to cognitive disorders that many people associate with dementia. The term “dementia” can be stigmatizing, so it’s preferable to refer to cognitive disorders based on whether they are mild, moderate, or severe. Understanding these categories allows for more effective preventive or therapeutic approaches.
Given Biden’s age and the current global climate, it’s reasonable to assume that a president would face considerable stress, possibly leading to an acute confusional syndrome, regardless of his official health reports. It raises the question of whether he is experiencing any cognitive decline, with vascular dementia being a common concern at his age. It’s important to note that dementia isn’t only linked to Alzheimer’s disease; vascular dementia, often associated with hypertension or uncontrolled cardiovascular issues, is also prevalent.
Other types of dementia exist, including Lewy body and frontotemporal dementia. However, vascular dementia remains the most common. The discussion about electing a president of a certain age also includes the fact that Trump would be the same age Biden is now in just three years.
Each individual is unique, and genetics and quality of life play key roles. The possibility of experiencing cognitive issues is a valid concern, especially considering both candidates are in their senior years. Like Biden, Trump could also face similar challenges under stress. It’s essential to clarify that experiencing acute confusional syndrome does not equate to having dementia.
By addressing these issues, we can better understand the complexities surrounding cognitive health in aging individuals, especially those in high-stress positions like the presidency.
Source: https://www.perfil.com/noticias/modo-fontevecchia/gerontologia-en-biden-cuando-el-estres-emocional-y-fisico-conduce-a-estados-de-confusion-modof.phtml
