Dementia isn’t just about old age and memory loss

Alzheimer’s disease is causing concern in India as the population ages and there is a steady decline in the death rate. About 3.2 million people are already affected by the disease in India, with Bangalore alone recording 30,000 cases.

Globally, over 24 million people are affected by dementia, a brain disorder that primarily robs affected people of their memory and eventually affects their overall mental and physical function, leading to death. It is estimated that by 2025, dementia will affect a population of over 34 millions.

On the eve of World Alzheimer’s Day, DNA spoke to neurologists, psychiatrists, and family members of those affected. Sticking to this year’s theme, ‘Faces of Dementia’, Dr Chandran Gnanamuthu, senior consultant neurologist of Fortis Hospital, said Alzheimer’s disease is one such condition that leads to progressive brain dysfunction.

“There are many other conditions that manifest as dementia—such as multiple small strokes, Vitamin B12 deficiency and types of Parkinson’s disease. A few individuals with undiagnosed hypothyroidism and extreme forms of depression can be mistaken for dementia,” said Dr Gnanamuthu.
In rare cases, brain tumours and increased fluid pressure in the brain (hydrocephalus) can cause dementia, he added.

Alzheimer’s generally afflicts individuals who are past 60 years of age. The responsibility of taking care of an individual with Alzheimer’s disease generally falls on the immediate family members.

Swapna Kishore, an engineer, had to give up her career to take care of her dementia-affected mother. “It’s been 14 years since I began taking care of my mother. In the early days, the challenge I faced was to make people understand that dementia is not just about old age and forgetfulness, but a condition in itself. Lack of awareness made them ask questions that would set up the stress levels for my mother,” she said.  Now, at the last stage of dementia, Swapna’s mother, who is in her mid 80s, is bedridden for the last two years.

Lack of awareness about dementia among general population is one thing. But caregivers complain that the government is also ignorant about it.  “There is ignorance on the part of policy-makers to recognise and prioritise dementia as a health problem. The government must at least fund some training programmes for caregivers of people with dementia,” said Dr Priyamvada Muddapur, project executive, Nightingales Dementia Care.