Looking at factors increasing risk of dementia
Dementia is a broad term used to describe a decline in memory or brain function that impacts an individual's daily life. It also describes a range of signs and symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by certain diseases or conditions.
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The exact cause of dementia is not known. However, there are certain factors that can increase a person’s risk of developing dementia. Among these are genetic and environmental factors such as smoking, excessive intake of alcohol and lack of exercise.
Symptoms
There are many variables associated with dementia symptoms and there isn't a consistent pattern to the way individuals are affected by dementia. A person is impacted by their condition in different ways at each stage of the disease.
In order to be diagnosed with a type of dementia, the patient should go through neurological evaluations and cognitive testing. This will help doctors determine the rate of cognitive decline and possible therapy for the individual.
Common symptoms associated with dementia are trouble in completing everyday tasks such as cooking or cleaning, inability to find things that have been misplaced, decreased ability to focus and pay attention, confusion or disorientation, especially about the day or time, personality and mood changes.
Others are struggling to communicate verbally or in writing, decreased judgement and reasoning, inability to adapt to change, problems with visual perception (i.e., accurately judging distances), as well as loss of motivation, apathy and withdrawal.
The complex nature of each type of dementia supports a wide variety of testing to be completed before a diagnosis can be made.
Recently at the World Alzheimer’s Day celebration held in Accra on the theme: “Remember Me,” to create public awareness of dementia, the Executive Director of Alzheimer’s Ghana, Mrs Esther Dey, said, “Currently, 47 million people are living with this health condition.”
She said the number was projected to increase to more than 131 million by 2050, and explained that the condition also had serious economic impact.
Mrs Dey hinted that over 100,000 people were living with dementia in the country today and that the number was likely to double in 20 years.
Politicians
She noted that dementia should be taken seriously as it was a big threat to national development, and urged politicians to think of pragmatic policies to improve the lives of individuals suffering from the condition.
“With the 2016 election approaching, Alzheimer’s Ghana is sending a clear message to our politicians that dementia can no longer be ignored’’, she said.
Mrs Dey said when a person was affected by the condition, it did not only affect the individual but the family at large, explaining that there was the need for proper attention to be given to persons suffering from the condition.
She said the advocacy for attention to be given to persons affected by the condition would be strengthened to ensure that people with dementia, their families and careers were a priority in this year’s election campaign.
Health sector
In a speech read on his behalf, the Health Minister, Mr Alex Segbefia, said the ministry was committed to the health needs of the aged, explaining that an assessment had been conducted on the health of the aged in 2014 and that the report, available on the website of the World Health Organisation (WHO), was accessible.
“Notable among the issues that were discussed were dementia and mental issues affecting the aged,” he said, and explained that there was the need for everyone to come on board to address the challenges.
According to the minister, lack of awareness and understanding of the condition had resulted in stigmatisation and barriers to diagnosis and care.
Aging policy
He said the Ghana Health Service (GHS) had an aging policy called, “The aging with security and dignity’’, with the GHS as an implementing agency that had been charged to implement the health nutrition component of the policy.
Mr Segbefia explained that the aim of the policy was to establish health care facilities to address the unique and various needs of older people, including dementia-related conditions.
He said the health ministry had recognised the Alzheimer’s Association as a key partner for improving mental health care services, as well as care and support for people with dementia in the country.
He said the ministry would collaborate with the association to ensure sustainability of mental health practices and care in the country.
