Friday 30 September 2011

A person's behaviour may change when affected by Alzheimer's or other dementias.  Read the complete article about what kind of behaviour changes to expect  at http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_behaviors.asp

Thursday 22 September 2011

World Alzheimer Report 2011

September has been designated the first-ever World Alzheimer's Month by Alzheimer's Disesase International.   For the third year in a row, the annual report on the study of this disease called,

'The World Alzheimer Report 2011' is now available online at  http://www.alz.co.uk/worldreport2011.

Produced after a comprehensive study and systematic review the Report says that it is possible to promote earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and that early therapeutic intervention can improve cognitive function.

Important points mentioned in the study are:
  • Improving primary care educational programs, early-stage dementia care services (eg, memory clinics),
  • Promotion of effective interaction with healthcare providers to increase the likelihood of earlier diagnoses;
  • The effect of a dementia diagnosis depends on how the news of the diagnosis is broken; (when people with dementia are well prepared and supported, their initial feelings of shock, anger, and grief often give way to a sense of reassurance and empowerment)
  • Earlier diagnosis allows patients to plan ahead while they can still make important decisions about their future care and allows them and their families to access timely practical advice and support, as well as to access available therapies that may improve their cognition and enhance their quality of life;
  • Most people with early-stage dementia would want to be told of their diagnosis.
The Report recommends that every country should have a national dementia strategy that promotes early diagnosis and intervention through public awareness,   training of healthcare and social workers, and the strengthening of health systems.  It also recommends that providers of primary care be competent in early detection of dementia, in making and imparting a provisional dementia diagnosis, and in initial management of dementia and where feasible, networks of specialist diagnostic centers should be established to confirm early-stage dementia diagnoses and to make sure that care management plans be formulated.

Availability of effective medicines for people with dementia should be publicized to healthcare and social care professionals.   More research should be commissioned and funded to improve drugs for early stages of the disease and for improving quality of life.

The Report estimates that the number of people with dementia is expected to nearly double every 20 years, from 36 million in 2010 to 115 million in 2050.

Diabetes - Dementia link

New study indicates that diabetes may be an increased risk factor for developement of dementia according to an article published in Medscape Medical News.
Older persons with impaired fasting glucose have an increased risk of dementia, suggesting that 'glucose' in itself is the problem vs having a full-blown diabetes diagnosis says Dr. Neelum Aggarwal, MD, who is associate professor of neurological sciences at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois.
Read the complete article at http://www.medscape.com/.

Wednesday 21 September 2011

Coming to Terms

Today is World Alzheimer's Day.

There is very little awareness about dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease in India.

The dictionary definition of Dementia [ de•men•tia (dĭ-měn'shə)n. ] is
"Deterioration of intellectual faculties, such as memory, concentration, and judgment, resulting from an organic disease or a disorder of the brain, and often accompanied by emotional disturbance and personality changes.”

This usually afflicts the elderly. The milder starting stages are usually ignored as age related memory problems. When the disease progresses and the undesirable aspects manifest themselves it is often misunderstood by patients’ families.

It is very important for the family, friends, neighbours and caregivers to be very patient and understanding. The patient is not a target for ridicule or reprimand. The patient is not doing inappropriate things or forgetting things deliberately. It is a condition over which they have no control, and medical science has not yet been able to crack the puzzle and find a solution either.

Just as we show sympathy for a person with a fractured limb, a defective kidney or a problematic heart, we need to realize that the brain also is just another organ in the body and can be physically affected by a deteriorative condition.

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Caregivers need friends

Caregivers of dementia patients need friends.

Caregiving is lonely business. With caregivers of dementia patients, all conversation gradually gets one-sided with not even a nod from their loved one. If you are full time caregiver, the person you are with 24x7 does not interact much though they hear every thing you say!

So full time caregivers lack conversation.

Friends dont visit as often. Perhaps they are not comfortable facing a dementia patient?

Then phone calls also slowly cease. The caregivers cannot do what the rest of their friends are doing. Perhaps they can go out for only short spans of time when their patient is resting. So it is not easy to meet with friends on weekends or go to lunches and dinners with friends. The caregiver starts feeling isolated.

Gradually outings get reduced to quick grocery shopping exercises. With only the TV for company caregivers slowly turn into shells of their former selves.

But caregivers need friends. Especially if they are looking after a dementia patient full time.

If you have a friend who is now a caregiver, make an effort to go over and visit. Make a phone call and tell them what is happening in the world outside.

Caregiving is a labour of love. You can help make it easier for them.

Insulin May help treat Alzheimer's

Click Link Below

Research on for Alzheimer's Disease

Breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research

Mumbai scientist shows dementia can be reversed. 
With constant research in this field, there may be light at the end of the tunnel.

Click Link Below

Dementia_may_be_reversed