The brain is one of the most important organs in the human body. Over time, the brain also shrinks and ages, just like the skin and bones. This aging process of the brain is called dementia disease.
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What Is Dementia?
According to the Mayo Clinic, dementia is a group of diseases that affect a person’s memory and thinking, disrupting their daily life activities.
What Causes Dementia?
Essentially, dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. It can also be influenced by genetic factors, lifestyle, and the environment.
Dr. Yuda Taruna SpS, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health at UNIKA Atma Jaya & Neurology Specialist, stated that to this day, dementia has no cure.
“So we doctors must focus on two things: introducing risk factors and early detection,” he emphasized at a press conference for the launch of the Bonaventura Pavilion by Atma Jaya Hospital in Jakarta.
What Are the Symptoms and Signs of Dementia in the Elderly?
Dementia symptoms vary depending on the cause, but common signs and symptoms include:
Cognitive Changes
- Memory loss
- Difficulty communicating or finding the right words
- Decline in visual and spatial abilities, e.g., getting lost while driving
- Difficulty reasoning or solving problems
- Inability to handle complex tasks
- Struggling with planning and organizing
- Difficulty with coordination and motor function
- Frequent confusion and disorientation
Psychological or Personality Changes
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Inappropriate behavior
- Paranoia
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
Can Dementia Be Cured?
There is no cure for dementia, but some medications can help manage symptoms temporarily.
Although there is no cure, certain dementia symptoms caused by specific conditions can be improved with treatment.
Conditions such as infections, thyroid disorders, vitamin B-12 deficiency, medication side effects, or subdural bleeding can cause dementia-like symptoms that are reversible with proper care.
Doctors may prescribe medication to address other issues related to dementia, as well as non-drug therapies such as exercise, good nutrition, and maintaining social activities.
What Are the Impacts of Dementia?
Dementia affects memory, thinking abilities, and social skills, disrupting daily life.
Psychological impacts include personality changes, depression, anxiety, agitation, and hallucinations.
Serious complications can occur, such as poor nutrition due to difficulty eating, pneumonia from swallowing problems, inability to perform self-care like bathing and dressing, personal safety challenges, and in advanced stages, it can lead to coma or even death.
How Is Dementia Treated?
Dementia treatment is supportive, aiming to slow disease progression and manage symptoms, as there is still no medication that can completely cure dementia.
In addition to medications, non-pharmacological therapies are also crucial.
Regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3s, and staying mentally and socially active can help slow symptom progression.
Occupational therapy can help dementia patients adapt to daily routines, while music and art therapy have been proven effective in reducing agitation and improving quality of life.
Family support and consistent care also play an essential role in long-term dementia management.
Originally published on theAsianparent Indonesia