Mumbai : City health experts’ state there is lack of awareness and understanding of Alzheimer which is the most common form of Dementia which causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. Owing to this, it results in stigmatization and barriers to diagnosis and care. They further emphasize that there is a high need for physicians and doctors to come ahead and spread knowledge about neurological diseases. They inform that people with Alzheimer’s need love, care and support from their relatives in order to fight the disease.
Doctors state that Alzheimer’s may contribute to 60-70 per cent of cases in the coming years. They add that the treatment depends on its cause and there is no treatment currently available to cure the disease or to alter its progressive course.
Dr Pankaj A Agarwal, neurologist and ‘Parkinson disease and Movement Disorders’ specialist at Global Hospital said, “Numerous new treatments are being investigated in various stages of clinical trials but there are drug treatments that may temporarily improve symptoms. The impact of dementia on caregivers, family and societies can be physical, psychological, social and economic. Hence, in India there needs to be increased awareness and understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia, to enable family members to recognize the signs in their loved ones and seek help.”
People with dementia may have problems with short-term memory loss, such as keeping track of a purse or wallet, paying bills, planning and preparing meals, remembering appointments or traveling out of the neighborhood. The principal goals for dementia care are early diagnosis, optimizing physical health, identifying and treating accompanying physical illness, detecting and treating behavioral and psychological symptoms and providing information and long-term support to caregivers.