Dementia in the elderly

(Baonghean) - Dementia is a decline in intellectual function and other cognitive areas, leading to a decrease in the ability to perform daily activities. This is one of the disorders that most seriously affects the elderly. The disease is characterized by cognitive decline that occurs in a state of normal consciousness. It is not a reversible cognitive disorder like delirium or depression.

The incidence of dementia increases rapidly with age. After age 60, the rate doubles every 5 years. At age 60-64, only 1% have dementia, but by age 85, the rate is 30-50%.

It is important to distinguish between dementia and benign age-related forgetfulness. Benign age-related forgetfulness is a condition of age-related memory loss, which is the result of the gradual slowing of neurological activity due to aging. The onset of benign forgetfulness is difficulty remembering new information and slow recall of old information due to a decline in concentration and attention. However, when given time and encouragement, patients can continue their daily activities normally.

The most common symptom of early dementia is short-term memory loss. People may forget what they have just said and repeat the same sentence several times in a few minutes. They often forget where they put personal items. This forgetfulness lasts for a long time and leads to delusions of theft.

In this early stage, patients also have difficulty finding the words to express what they want to say or explain something. They often have to beat around the bush. In addition, patients may forget or have difficulty using or doing daily tasks.

Other symptoms of early dementia include personality changes, mood swings, and impaired judgment. People may act differently than they used to. Other mood changes, such as depression or paranoia, are also common. It is important to note that in this early stage, people with dementia are not affected by social functioning. However, they often have mood changes, such as irritability and agitation.

The patient's mental stability is also quite fragile. In difficult or stressful situations, mental decline can be evident.

At the moderate level, patients have reduced ability to perform daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene. Patients are also prone to falls or accidents due to confusion and impaired judgment.

In the severe stage, patients cannot perform daily activities such as eating, personal hygiene, walking and are completely dependent on relatives. Short-term and long-term memory is completely lost. Patients do not recognize even their closest relatives, and lose other reflexive motor abilities such as swallowing (so they are susceptible to nutritional disorders and choking on food).

When suspecting a loved one has dementia, take them to a specialist psychiatric, neurology or geriatric clinic.

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