Studies as recent as in 2012 indicate a high prevalence of vascular dementia among rural folk, compared to the urban grey population in the state.
A Participatory Rural Appraisal mapping by the Maithri Outreach in Kizhakkambalam panchayat in 2012, had found that 14.9 per cent of families there comprise a reclusive greying population who never indulge in any activity.
“This is an alarming rate. If this trend persists, the possibility of them falling prey to vascular dementia is high and the repercussions will be drastic, especially when majority of our population falls under the sixty plus category,” says, Dr C J John, Consultant Psychiatrist, Medical Trust Hospital, Ernakulam.
A study done in Thiruvaniyoor panchayat (2005) by a psychiatrist and another conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in 2008, support the fact that vascular dementia is high in rural elder population.
Dr S Shaji, Consultant Psychiatrist, Bethsada Hospital, Vengola who conducted the 2005 study, said that increasing incidents of substance abuse in Kerala could be a possible reason for this phenomenon.
“In 2005, it was found that 41 out of 1000 people have vascular dementia. The percentage has hardly diminished all through these years,” he said.
The major cause for vascular dementia is the faulty life style. It has been pointed out that the rural population gets very little exposure to prepare themselves for a healthy and graceful ageing. The urban grey population has better opportunities and most of them try to stay connected through networks like elder clubs.
The rural population who lack such facilities have a tendency to confine to their own cocoons. “Alcoholism, diabetes, smoking and above all the vacuum they experience in their life push them towards vascular dementia,” said Dr C J John.
Vascular dementia can be prevented while Alzheimer dementia is beyond control as it is degenerative and depends mainly on hereditary traits. By changing life style, vascular dementia can be controlled.
The laid back attitude shown by vascular dementia patients towards their illness, whether it be diabetes or blood pressure variation cost them dearly, health experts said.