“Dementia robs millions of people of their memories, their independence, and their dignity, but it also takes away the people we know and love.” These are the words of Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), in a press release. “The world is failing people with dementia, and that hurts us all. Goals alone are not enough. We need concerted action to ensure that all people with dementia can live with the support and dignity they deserve.”
September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and during this month, thousands of men and women around the world come together to raise awareness about the disease and challenge its stigma. September 21st also marks a significant date: World Alzheimer’s Day, proclaimed by the WHO and sponsored by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), has been celebrated since 1994.
Stats and Facts: Suffering and Disability
The figures and facts make it clear: dementia is a growing public health problem affecting around 50 million people worldwide. There are almost 10 million new cases each year, a figure that will triple by 2050. This is one of the leading causes of disability and dependency in older adults. It is often devastating for the lives of those affected, their caregivers, and their families. Disability associated with dementia is a key factor in the costs associated with this disease.
Diagnosing Dementia: A Challenging and Difficult Process
This year’s campaign emphasizes the warning signs of dementia, also called red flags. Encouraging people to seek information, advice, and support. It also highlights the importance of timely and early diagnosis. By seeking advice and support, people are better able to prepare, plan, and adapt.
Receiving a dementia diagnosis is often a challenging and difficult process. The stigma surrounding the disease means that many avoid seeking an early diagnosis and wait until advanced stages, reducing the chances of intervention.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a syndrome, usually chronic or progressive in nature, characterized by a decline in cognitive function (i.e., the ability to process thought), beyond what might be considered a consequence of normal aging. It affects memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning ability, language, and judgment. The decline in cognitive function is often accompanied by a decline in emotional control, social behavior, and motivation.
Forms or types of dementia
There are various forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. Estimated to account for 60 to 70 percent of cases. Other common forms include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia (abnormal protein aggregates inside nerve cells). A group of diseases that can contribute to frontotemporal dementia (degeneration of the brain’s frontal lobe). The boundaries between the different forms of dementia are blurred, and mixed forms frequently coexist.
Treatment and Care
There is no treatment that can cure dementia or reverse its progressive course. New treatments are under investigation, some of which are in various stages of clinical trials, but the results are not yet conclusive. However, there are numerous interventions that can be offered to support and improve the lives of people with dementia and their caregivers and families. The main goals of dementia-related care services are:
– To diagnose dementia early to enable early and optimal treatment.
– To optimize physical health, cognition, activity, and well-being.
– Identify and treat co-occurring physical illnesses.
– Detect and treat problematic behavioral and psychological symptoms.
– Provide information and long-term support to caregivers.
A key element in any plan or strategy to address this health issue is support for caregivers of people with this disease. Said Dr. Dévora Kestel, Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at the WHO. “Very often, caregivers of people with dementia are family members who need to make significant changes to their personal and professional lives in order to care for their loved ones.”
What can we do to prevent dementia?
While there is no proven effective treatment or prevention method for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Generally, leading a healthy lifestyle can help address the risk factors associated with these diseases. Here are some recommendations.
Control high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, has harmful effects on the heart, blood vessels, and brain, and increases the risk of stroke and vascular dementia.
Control blood glucose (sugar). Higher-than-normal blood sugar or glucose levels can lead to diabetes and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, cognitive decline, and dementia.
Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese increases the risk of related health problems. Such as diabetes and heart disease. Staying active and choosing healthy foods can help maintain a healthy weight.
Drink alcohol as little as possible. Drinking too much alcohol can cause falls and worsen medical problems. Such as diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, memory loss, and mood disorders.
Stop using tobacco. Quitting smoking can improve your health at any age. As well as reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and lung disease.
Stay physically and mentally active. Exercise, walk daily, connect with family and friends, socialize, pursue a hobby, read, and use your free time for healthy activities.
These changes are good for your health and are part of the healthy choices people should make as they age.
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