Let’s talk about dementia

THE EDITOR, Madam:

WE SHOULD earnestly strive to address and implement immediate treatment of the onset of ne ur ode generative conditions such as dementia, and raise awareness when there is early emergence of signs and symptoms. A balcony view of how mental illness is treated as taboo in Jamaica, and impulsively ignoring the matter in question are consequently the root causes of limited medical attention in the social circle.

This ailment has an impartial proclivity to harm our loved ones and can potentially drive a chronic wedge in deep-rooted relationships.

The National Institute of Aging (NIA) states that dementia is conceptual ly one losing the ability to cognitively function in daily mundane activities, and lacking the ability and awareness in controlling one’s emotional and behavioural states. Noteworthy is that dementia is not just an illness, but a spectrum of disorders, the most infamous being Alzheimer’s Disease.

Dementia can happen to anyone, although it does have a high incidence rate among the elderly, especially among women who are disproportionately affected. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than 55 million people who have been diagnosed with dementia worldwide, over 60 per cent of whom live in low- and middle-income countries.

Jamaica being a developing country may lack the requisite economic resources to tackle dementia’s incessant presence at the moment. Nevertheless, we must pay strict attention to our elderly when the warning signs present themselves, and strongly encourage the affected to understand that it isn’t a death sentence and that immediate attention is required.

TELL-TALE SIGNS

Some of the tell-tale signs of dementia include but are not limited to: having bouts of memory loss, being confused when performing a task, and experiencing hallucinations or paranoia, according to the NIA.

Frankly, Jamaica is a country that loves its rum and smoking, and, admittedly, oftentimes we behave sedentarily, which are in fact lifestyle risk factors, in conjunction with genetic risk factors, for dementia. The 2019 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference suggests that adopting multiple healthy lifestyle choices, inclusive of a healthy diet, limited smoking and moderate levels of exercise, may decrease the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.

Let’s take action in caring for our bodies and minds, and stop dementia in its tracks through temperance.

DUJEAN EDWARDS