World Alzheimer’s Day: Govt urged to set up dementia clinics

Eminent neurologists at Shifa International Hospital Wednesday urged the government and private sector to establish dementia clinics and nursing homes. They were speaking at a seminar titled “Faces of Dementia”, organised by the Neurology Division of Shifa International Hospital (SIH) to mark World Alzheimer’s Day, said a press release issued by SIH on Wednesday.

Later, a question-answer session was held and panel of experts including Prof. Mohammad Tariq from Pims, Head Neurology Division SIH Dr Ismail Khatri, SIH neurologists including Dr Arsalan Ahmad, Dr Azhar Saeed and Dr Maimoona Siddiqui gave detailed answers to queries.

SIH Associate Professor and Consultant Neurologist Dr Arsalan Ahmad described dementia as “a progressive deterioration of intellect, behaviour and personality as a consequence of diffuse disease of the cerebral hemispheres.” He said Alzheimer’s is the most common type and cause of dementia in old age and “one of the major causes of disability in later life.” After the age of 65, the prevalence of dementia doubles every five years, he said.

He said that in 2002, approximately 5.775 million people in Pakistan had dementia, adding that there were 35.6 million people were with dementia and Alzheimer’s worldwide and it is expected that the number will increase to 65.7 million by 2030.

He said dementia is a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion. Symptoms may include memory loss, difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying, difficulty in performing previously routine tasks and personality and mood changes.

“Every person is unique and dementia affects different people differently — no two people will have symptoms that develop in exactly the same way. An individual’s personality, general health and social situation are all important factors in determining the impact of dementia on him or her,” he said.

“An early diagnosis is helpful, because it enables caregivers to be better equipped to cope with the disease progression and provides people with dementia with an opportunity to make decisions about their financial and legal affairs before they lose the ability to do so,” Dr Ahmad opined, adding that it also gives people with dementia a better chance to benefit from existing treatments.

He observed that people who keep their brains active may be at less risk of developing dementia. Reading, engaging in hobbies such as playing bridge or chess, or doing crosswords and word puzzles may help reduce risk.

He concluded by emphasising the need to spread awareness of the disease among people and educating general physicians to screen elderly patients for dementia.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2011.