Better than cure: ‘Improved diagnosis needed to assist people with dementia’

LAHORE: There is a pressing need to improve diagnosis and streamline the health system to assist people suffering from dementia.

This was said by Alzheimer’s Pakistan Patron Dr Yasmin Rashid during a news conference held in the city on Tuesday.

Rashid was citing a new report from Alzheimer’s Disease International.

The report has been authored by researchers at King’s College London and the London School of Economics (LSE).

World Alzheimer's Month, a global campaign to raise awareness about dementia and tackle stigmas worldwide will kick off on Wednesday (today). World Alzheimer's Day is celebrated on September 21.

“[The report includes] a clear recommendation that we monitor the outcomes of dementia care so that people [from the disease] and their care partners can be informed about the quality of care available,” she added.

The report, titled ‘The World Alzheimer Report 2016: Improving healthcare for people living with dementia’, calls for concerted action to improve coverage of health care for people with dementia.

It suggests most people with dementia have yet to receive a diagnosis and continuous and comprehensive healthcare appears to
be a long shot for most patients suffering from the disease.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2016.