What is Dementia?
Dementia is a general term used to describe a group of conditions which affect memory.
You find it harder to remember things and develop other problems with your thinking. These make it more difficult to cope with your day to day life.
These problems keep getting worse - or are 'progressive'. They are not a normal part of ageing.
What does dementia feel like?
There are many different types of dementia. They all involve loss of memory, but they also have other symptoms, which differ according to the cause. A dementia will often start off with memory problems, but a person with dementia can also find it hard to:
- plan and carry out day-to-day tasks
- communicate with others.
They may also have changes in their mood, ability to make decisions, or you may see changes in their personality.
As dementia is 'progressive', someone with dementia will become more dependent upon others to help them as time goes on.
What causes dementia?
Any of us can develop a dementia but it is not a natural or inevitable consequence of ageing. Some medical conditions that can make it more likely include:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Strokes and heart disease
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
It is important to try to treat and manage these risk factors, particularly high blood pressure and diabetes. It may also help, in the mid-life years, to manage any problems with hearing loss, obesity, social isolation and depression.
Genes also play a part in dementia but there is no test (yet) which can predict your personal risk.
Lifestyle factors that can increase risk of various types of dementia include:
- smoking
- drinking more than the safe limit of alcohol - more than 14 units per week
- poor diet
- lack of physical activity
- being overweight
- repeated head injuries, eg in boxers.
As dementia is 'progressive', someone with dementia will become more dependent upon others to help them as time goes on.
How can I get help for dementia?
Simple practical steps
- Use a diary to help you remember appointments.
- Make lists of the things you have to do – and tick them off as you do them!
- Keep your mind active by reading or doing puzzles, learning new things and maintaining a sense of purpose in your life.
- Stay involved and connected – find your local bao group or other social activities which you enjoy.
- Eat a healthy diet and take physical exercise (it can help whatever your age).
- Get support if you are struggling with daily living or get advice if others feel you are finding things hard to manage. There are many ways in which family, friends and services can help you to live independently for as long as possible.
Medication
There are a group of drugs called acetylcholinesterase inhibitors that can slow down the progress of dementia a little, but they are not very effective and not available in Malawi yet.