Ahead of Alzheimer’s Day, UN expert urges greater protections for people with dementia

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s every 4 seconds globally. The number of cases has increased drastically in the past few years due to sedentary lifestyle choices.

Statistics show an increasing connection between these lifestyle choices and dementia. A general lack of awareness in the masses is attributed to the fact that dementia affects older people. Predictive studies show that the number of cases in India are likely to double by 2015.

 A United Nations independent expert  called on Member States across the globe to do more to protect older people affected by dementia from stigmatisation, discrimination, victimisation and neglect.

“The voices of older people and those who look after them need to be heard in a meaningful way,” said Rosa Kornfeld-Matte, the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons.

Speaking ahead of World Alzheimer’s Day, marked annually on 21 September,  Kornfeld-Matte called for concerted action to ensure that older persons suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia can fully enjoy their human rights in all circumstances.

“The whole of society shares responsibility for the welfare of older persons with dementia and is called upon to find comprehensive solutions,” the UN expert said.

According to the UN World Health Organization (WHO), dementia is a syndrome, usually of a chronic nature, caused by a variety of brain illnesses that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and possibly contributes to up to 70% of cases.

The number of people living with dementia worldwide is currently estimated at 35.6 million, and this is expected to double by 2030 and more than triple by 2050.

“Dementia should not be considered as a normal part of ageing. Dementia is a disease, and can be the result of multiple factors,” the Independent Expert said. “States and other stakeholders need to raise awareness and to adopt a human rights-based approach to protect the rights and dignity of older persons with dementia.”

Older persons suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia often face violations of their human rights, abuse and neglect, as well as widespread discrimination. As their autonomy decreases, they are moreover progressively deprived of their political, civil, economic, social and cultural rights.

“States need to take appropriate action to ensure that older persons affected by dementia can still participate in the public life of their communities,” said Ms. Kornfeld-Matte. This includes providing accessible information and the support they need, both human and technical, to facilitate their continued participation in public life and in the decisions that affect them.

World Alzheimer’s Day was launched in 1994 by Alzheimer’ Disease International, an international federation of 84 Alzheimer associations around the world, in official relations with the WHO.

The illness has no known cure, and the condition of the patients usually manifests in their 50’s or even later than that. A few really exceptional cases have had Alzheimer's afflicting people in their 40’s. An ailment in which the mental ability of the person gradually declines leaving them unable to lead normal lives. 

According to Dr. Pankaj Agarwal, Neurologist, Global Hospitals, Mumbai, the following are tell tale signs of dementia

*The most common symptom is memory loss which disrupts daily life

*Confusion with times and place – even when the person has visited a place multiple times,  he / she find it difficult to remember the address

*Changes in mood and personality – a person has drastic changes to their personality,  such as,  doing things they normally would not do.

*Poor decision making skills. 

*Problems with words in speech and writing –  problems in pronouncing certain words,  and if in a conversation they stop speaking, they forget what was being spoken off 

 Here are a few ways you can reduce the risk of dementia:

*Be physically active

*Have a healthy diet plan

*Take good care of your heart

*Reduce the intake of unnecessary medication