Sunday 20 September 2009

ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE CAN BE MANAGED

ALZHEIMER'S disease, which has affected 60,000 Malaysians, is on the rise.

There is a serious need for mental tests that will help with early detection of the disease and reduce the number of cases, says Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM)'s Executive Committee Vice-Chairman, Ong Eng Joo.

Ong said the lack of awareness is to blame for the increasing numbers.

"The detection rate in Malaysia is very low. There are tests that can be done to detect Alzheimer's cases such as MMSE (Mini Mental State Exam) test. "

Despite intensive research in recent years, the disease is still not yet fully understood and there is still no known cure.

People with Alzheimer's, or "the long goodbye" as it is also called, suffer a decline of mental functions, which eventually interfere with the patient's normal daily activities.

Over time, Alzheimer's patients lose their ability to perform even the most basic tasks like brushing teeth, putting on clothes and bathing. The ability to walk and talk may be lost as well.

"People are living longer, increasing the rate of Alzheimer’s exponentially. Those most at risk of developing Alzheimer’s are the elderly, and the risk increases with age." said Ong Eng Joo, Executive Committee Vice-Chairman of ADFM.

Ong said people were living longer, thanks to advances in medicine, but this posed other problems.

"A longer life span increases our ageing population. People are living longer, increasing the rate of Alzheimer's exponentially."

"Those most at risk of developing Alzheimer's are the elderly, and the risk increases with age. According to worldwide statistics, one in 20 of those aged 65 and above have Alzheimer's."

"But, among those aged 80 and above, one in five have Alzheimer's."

There is also a small group of people who develop what is called "early onset Alzheimer's" from as young as their late 30s or 40s.

Ong said the increase in Alzheimer's cases also affected the lives of some 250,000 caregivers.

"Sadly, there are only three daycare facilities in the country that provide relief for caregivers," he said.

Puan Sri Wendy Ong (left) says many Malaysians still do not understand Alzheimer's Disease, while Dr Lee Fatt Soon says many people think the disease is a natural part of ageing.

"Ideally, we should have one daycare centre in each state to cater for the increasing ageing population."

"But this can get very expensive. Getting staff is the biggest problem as it's important that the patients don't wander off."

ADFM Patron, Puan Sri Wendy Ong said many Malaysians were still unclear on the reality of Alzheimer's.

"Lack of awareness and understanding has led to continuous suffering for those affected as they often lack the required care and assistance."

Hospital Kuala Lumpur Geriatric Unit Head, Dr Lee Fatt Soon believed a lot of people made the common mistake of attributing Alzheimer's as natural consequence of ageing.

"It is a progressive disease which attacks the brain, causing impaired memory, thinking behaviour and functional activity."

"We need to communicate the message that the disease can be better managed through early diagnosis and intervention, thereby leading to better quality lives for patients,caregivers and their family."

Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia. It is not part of normal ageing but involves the progressive loss of brain nerve cells.

At present, 18 million people worldwide have the disease. It is predicted that by 2020, 34 million will have Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's will be recognized globally tomorrow, with the theme "Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner", emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis.

Source: The Sunday Times, September 20, 2009 at www.nst.com.my

(From The Malaysia's National Alzheimer's Caregivers Online Network - NACON)

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