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Lee-Anne Hall
DEMENTIA
ACCORDING to WHO dementia is a health priority. Dementia is a syndrome, usually of a chronic or progressive nature. It is characterised by a deterioration in cognitive function (ie the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement.
Aetiology
Dementia is caused by a variety of diseases and injuries that primarily or secondarily affect the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease or stroke.
Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide. It is overwhelming not only for the people who have it, but also for their caregivers and families. There is often a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia, resulting in stigmatisation and barriers to diagnosis and care. The impact of dementia on caregivers, family and societies can be physical, psychological, social and economic.
There are many different forms or causes of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60-70 percent of cases. Other major forms include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies (abnormal aggregates of protein that develop inside nerve cells), and a group of diseases that contribute to frontotemporal dementia (degeneration of the frontal lobe of the brain). The boundaries between different forms of dementia are indistinct and mixed forms often co-exist.
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms linked to dementia can be understood in three stages and these are;
1 Early stage: the early stage of dementia is often overlooked, because the onset is gradual. Common symptoms include:
– forgetfulness
– losing track of the time
– becoming lost in familiar places
2 Middle stage: as dementia progresses to the middle stage, the signs and symptoms become clearer and more restricting. These include:
– becoming forgetful of recent events and people’s names
– becoming lost at home
– having increasing difficulty with communication
– needing help with personal care
– experiencing behaviour changes, including wandering and repeated questioning.
3 Late stage: the late stage of dementia is one of near total dependence and inactivity. Memory disturbances are serious and the physical signs and symptoms become more obvious. Symptoms include:
– becoming unaware of the time and place
– having difficulty recognising relatives and friends
– having an increasing need for assisted self-care
– having difficulty walking
– experiencing behaviour changes that may escalate and include aggression.
Treatment and Care
There is no treatment currently available to cure dementia or to alter its progressive course. Numerous new treatments are being investigated in various stages of clinical trials.
Much can be, however, offered to support and improve the lives of people with dementia and their caregivers and families. The principal goals for dementia care are:
– early diagnosis
– optimising physical health, cognition, activity and well-being
– identifying and treating accompanying physical illness
– detecting and treating behavioural and psychological symptoms
– providing information and long-term support to caregivers.
Dealing with a family member or friend with dementia can be challenging and its always important to visit the following specialists to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.
The following are valuable specialists to consult:
– Neurologists who specialise in diseases of the brain and nervous system
– Psychiatrists who specialise in disorders that affect moods or the way the mind works
– Psychologists with special training in testing memory and other mental functions
Here are some key facts to remember about dementia:
– Dementia is a syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities.
– Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of ageing.
– Worldwide, 47,5 million people have dementia and there are 7,7 million new cases every year.
– Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases.
– Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.
– Dementia has physical, psychological, social and economical impact on caregivers, families and society.
In conclusion, the number of people living with dementia worldwide is currently estimated at 35,6 million.
This number will double by 2030 and more than triple by 2050. Dementia is overwhelming not only for the people who have it, but also for their caregivers and families.
There is lack of awareness and understanding of dementia in most countries, resulting in stigmatisation, barriers to diagnosis and care, and impacting caregivers, families and societies physically, psychologically and economically.
Take care of your busy body, you owe that to your family.
For more information about Dementia please email me on [email protected] Or follow my blog www.healthpromotionbyleeanne.wordpress.com, Lee-Anne Hall, BSc Physiotherapy
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