In the Government General Hospital in Chennai, 2 in every 100 outpatients who visit the hospital everyday, are screened for dementia, said Dr K Bhanu, neurologist and professor of neurology, Madras Medical college.
Speaking during a function to mark the World Alzhiemer’s Day, Dr Bhanu said that there is a rise in dementia cases as India’s population is ageing. She said that there is a lack of awareness among families as they don’t know the symptoms of dementia or even whom to contact for help or advice.
She added that the disease affects as many as 50% of people over the age of 80 and 5-8% of all people over 65. “The number doubles every five years beyond that age,” she said. She also said that lifestyle changes are also one of the causes for the disease.
She said Alzhiemer causes 50-70% of all dementia. It begins with forgetfulness and then confusion and eventually not able to identify time, place and person.
“Problems with judgement and decision making also occurs in addition to personality changes such as irritability, agitation, sadness (depression) or elation and inappropriate behaviors,” she added.
“We should identify the symptoms early, especially if an old person begins to have forgetfulness, progresses to disorientation and confusion, personality changes, depression or manic behaviours,” she said.
There isn’t a cure for dementia but if diagnosed, it can be treated. And, those affected can lead a better quality of life, she explained. She also suggested the need for old people to remain busy with lives and not live in isolation. “They should practise yoga or indulge themselves in other creative activities to keep themselves busy,” she said.
Madras Medical College dean V Kanagasabai said that the country has 640 lakh senior citizens and many of them suffer from dementia. He predicted that by 2030 a total of 900 lakh people will suffer from dementia.