Dementia & What You Need To Know About It

Confused about the difference between Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease? Here's an easy explainer.

Dementia is on the rise in India, and with the increase in life expectancy, growing further. In India, where people are living longer and the population is ageing, it is estimated that over 5.3 million people suffer from Dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause. According to the Dementia in India Report 2020 issued by the Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI), this number is expected to increase to 7.6 million in 2030. 

What is Dementia?

Dementia is "a condition, typically chronic, characterised by a progressive, global decline in cognition including memory, learning, orientation, language, comprehension and judgement owing to disease of the brain," according to a report by ARDSI. Only 2 per cent of instances begin before age 65, and older persons are most affected. With each additional five years of age after then, the prevalence doubles. One of the main factors contributing to disability in later life is Dementia.

The second most typical form of dementia is vascular dementia, which develops due to microscopic bleeding and blood vessel obstruction in the brain. Mixed dementia is characterised by the simultaneous occurrence of brain alterations associated with different forms of dementia. Numerous other illnesses, some of which are treatable, such as thyroid issues and vitamin shortages, can also result in dementia-like symptoms.

What is the difference between Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease?

Memory loss, confusion about time and space, withdrawal, developing delusions, and insomnia are just a few symptoms that go by the umbrella label of Dementia.

The cause of these Dementia symptoms could be a number of diseases like Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Vascular Dementia, and Fronto-temporal Dementia. So Dementia is a general term for a group of symptoms, and Alzheimer's is one of the diseases that cause these symptoms. Alzheimer's is the most common type of Dementia, accounting for about 60-70% of all Dementia. The second most typical form of dementia is vascular dementia, which develops due to microscopic bleeding and blood vessel obstruction in the brain. Mixed dementia is characterised by the simultaneous occurrence of brain alterations associated with different forms of dementia. Numerous other illnesses, some of which are treatable, such as thyroid issues and vitamin shortages, can also result in dementia-like symptoms.

Watch this video from Dementiacarenotes, one of the best Dementia resources in India, for a very clear explainer.

https://youtu.be/30X7ORyGtGM 

Dementia Caregiving

The experience of providing care for a family member who has Dementia is challenging in many ways, and it undoubtedly changes one's life. It is also not inexpensive. According to a 2013 study in the Indian Journal of Public Health, the yearly household cost of caring for a person with Dementia in India can be as high as Rs 2,02,450 in urban regions and Rs 66,025 in rural areas. This also covers indirect costs like the caregiver's reduced productivity or opportunities. Also include the price of the hospital stay, prescriptions, and consultations. Given this context, more study and innovation are required in dementia therapy, caregiving, and caregiver support.

As Dementia progresses, a person's physical and mental faculties deteriorate and can impact their judgment, behavior, and sense of time and place. Hence, it becomes imperative to adapt the house to these changes, make it safe to live in, and safeguard the person from potential falls and injuries. A four-step process can help you prevent any accidents and worries.

* Assess the house thoroughly to identify potential hazards

* Remove all potentially dangerous material/ substances from reach

* Make suitable changes across the house to make it accident-free

* Install an emergency plan and update it regularly

Read more about how to keep an older adult with dementia safe here.

Dementia caregiving can last many years, draining the caregiver emotionally, physically, and financially. Caregiver burnout is a reality, and carers need to know the various stages of Dementia for proper care and support. Depression is higher in Dementia caregivers compared to other caregivers, and a study has shown that one-fifth to one-third of carers had a significant psychological illness, says Dementia Care Notes. Caring for a Dementia patient at home comes with several challenges, including the need to keep their brain stimulated for a better quality of life. The 2011 World Alzheimer's Report says that routinely providing individualized cognitive stimulation to those with mild to moderate stages of Dementia can produce short-term improvements and may reduce the decline in cognitive function. Here are some simple activities you can try out at home.

Caregiver Support

Seeing a loved one decline into Dementia can be heart-wrenching. It can also mean that someone from the family has to take on the role of a caregiver. The task is challenging, rewarding, and exhausting simultaneously, and several caregivers feel the need to connect with others in the same situation. Becoming part of a Dementia Support Group can help you learn to navigate the situation better and give you a peer group dealing with similar issues. A dementia support group aims to provide caregivers with an environment of support and a platform to share their feelings, whether in person or online. Groups help the caregiver understand and cope with the complexities of the disease, providing them with a supportive atmosphere where they can express the stress of caring for their loved ones with Dementia. Here is more on how support groups can help.

Why are support groups and self-care important?

Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It can occur when caregivers don't get the help they need or try to do more than they can physically, financially, or emotionally. It may manifest through stress, fatigue, depression, and anxiety.  Experts say that paid caregivers, outsourced help, and support groups go a long way in helping manage caregiver burnout. It is essential for the caregiver to regularly take time out for themselves to ensure they get regular exercise and indulge in activities they love.

Good to know

The Dementia Innovation Readiness Index 2020, created by Alzheimer's Disease International, the Global Coalition on Aging, and the Lien Foundation, lists Bengaluru as one of the top 30 global cities in its index. The degree to which cities are ready to innovate in terms of strategy, diagnosis, detection, treatment, care, and support for Dementia is described as "dementia innovation readiness."

If you have an older loved one at home with Dementia, educate yourself about the progressive nature of this condition, plan out in advance and be an aware caregiver working towards making your loved one's life as comfortable as possible. 

Share your experience of caring for a loved one with dementia in the comments below.

Cover image courtesy: Unsplash