Dementia affects your thinking, memory and reasoning skills. It is most common in senior citizens, but some younger adults may also show signs of early dementia and sometimes Alzheimer’s. Neha Sinha, a dementia specialist and CEO and co-founder of Epoch Elder Care, says, “Given that age is the strongest risk factor for dementia, India faces a potential increase in dementia cases.  However, there is a lack of a nationally representative study to estimate the prevalence of dementia accurately. The Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India has extrapolated dementia prevalence using estimates for South Asia from the 2015 World Alzheimer Report and six prior studies in Indian sub-regions conducted in 2010.”

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The US-based National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) estimated the prevalence of dementia in adults aged 60 plus in India at 7.4 per cent, with 8.8 million people living with dementia. India’s population is experiencing a demographic shift, with the share of individuals aged 60 or older projected to increase to nearly 20 per cent by 2050, accounting for 15.4 per cent of the global elderly population. Sinha reveals that this trend is attributed to an increase in life expectancy, from 42.9 years in 1960 to 70.4 years in 2020.

Difference Between Alzheimer’s And Dementia

Dementia is a disease that affects various cognitive functions, such as thinking, reasoning, and memory. The symptoms are severe and can alter one’s daily life as memory declines severely.

Sinha says that Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, responsible for around 60 to 80 per cent of the cases and is characterised by specific changes in the brain.

She identifies drastic memory decline as the hallmark of the disease, such as difficulty remembering people, recent events or conversations or any distant memories. Due to the disease, there may be personality changes and difficulty with routine tasks such as walking or talking in the later stages.

To explain between the two, she adds, “While all Alzheimer’s is dementia, not all dementia is Alzheimer’s. Dementia encompasses a broader spectrum of cognitive impairments, with Alzheimer’s being the most prevalent form. Other forms of dementia are vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, Frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia. For example, in mixed dementia, a person might have both Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Symptoms can overlap, and disease progression may be faster than with a single type of dementia.

What Are Some Early Signs Of Dementia And Type Of Care Patients Need?

Where memory loss can be an identifiable symptom, it is not the only symptom of Dementia. It has other symptoms that change a person’s physical and mental abilities, which gradually worsen as time passes.

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Here are some of the most common symptoms of Dementia.

Assisted Living for 24/7 Care

As memory gradually declines, one can forget conversations that happened minutes or an hour ago. Sinha says that this may include forgetting important dates or events, repeatedly asking the same questions, or relying on a memory aid or a family member for things that can be managed independently.

To provide better care, Sinha suggests memory care units or assisted living that provide round-the-clock care to the patients and customise care for each individual depending on the severity of the symptoms.

Respite Care For Daily Tasks

Individuals may face difficulties in planning or solving problems, such as following a recipe or tracking monthly bills. This can lead to problems in concentration and increased time spent on tasks.

Respite care is a temporary solution for this. Caregivers can be hired to help the individual with daily tasks. Installing grab bars and alarms can also be helpful. Routine tasks like making a grocery list or going to a familiar place can feel difficult, and the caregiver can help the patient with them.

Counselling For Mental Confusion and agitation

As the disease progresses, it creates mental confusion, such as forgetting dates, time, seasons, or even places. Sinha reveals that they might forget where they are or how they got there, especially if something is not happening immediately.

This can also create aggression or agitation with the surroundings that the person is in. To resolve this issue, Sinha suggests groups for sharing life experiences and for psychological support as well as counselling for the elderly and families to cope with dementia.

Visual Problems and Social Withdrawal

Vision changes can cause difficulties with balance, reading, distance judgment, and colour perception, impacting driving. Additionally, new problems with words in speaking or writing can arise, leading to interruptions, repetition, vocabulary struggles, and incorrect names in conversations. The person can also show signs of depression, anxiety, mood changes, suspicion, confusion and withdrawal from the usually preferred hobbies or events.

To cope with such symptoms of withdrawal or mental problems, Sinha advises, “Social engagements through recreational activities and community events. Art classes and pet or music therapy can increase enjoyment and stimulation. Cognitive stimulation strengthens existing functions, while behavioural management techniques help manage challenging behaviours like agitation and aggression. Seeking mental health professionals can help manage depression and anxiety.”

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Assisted Living For Erratic Behaviour

Individuals with the disease may misplace items in unusual locations, making it difficult to retrace steps, potentially leading to theft accusations as the disease progresses. These are extreme conditions where mental confusion can cloud judgment and create erratic behaviour for which assisted living is the only option as the patient may need proper professional care which cannot be given at home.

Other Types Of Care Required

Medical care is of utmost importance for senior citizens with dementia, as they need their medicines on time and proper nutritious meals. Legal and financial planning, such as paying the assisted living bills, assisting with legal documents, and establishing guardianship, also needs to be taken care of.