Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning that affects your memory, thinking abilities, reasoning and daily life. People with dementia may not be able to recognize even their close family members. Kerala Social Security Mission is set to roll out a project that aims to discard myths about dementia and also to ensure proper care and medical attention for dementia / Alzheimer’s patients. These proposals are part of the Mission’s aim to make Kerala a ‘dementia friendly state’.
In February, the Social Security Mission launched the ‘Ormathoni’ initiative to implement dementia-friendly projects across the state. In the brochure ‘Ormathoni – Symptoms and Care’ that was published as part of this, proper instructions are given about how to identify the symptoms of dementia and also about how to care for such patients.
Common symptoms of dementia
1) Dementia patients often forget about personal hygiene and cannot perform daily activities. They may refuse to bathe or change clothes leading to poor personal hygiene.
2) They might forget where they have left the things that they use regularly like keys, ornaments or money. It could make them exasperated and might even accuse others of stealing their things.
3) In extreme stages of dementia, the patient may lose his/her bladder or bowel control. This is often caused when messages between the brain and bladder or intestines get disrupted.
4) Some dementia patients may turn violent. They might verbally abuse others, physically attack or might even cause self-harm. They will get irritated if things do not happen as per their wish. Their attempts to make meaningful communication with others may even backfire.
5) Dementia patients may find it difficult to understand time and place. They might get confused about where they are and would get ready to go outside or to the office at midnight. When they have to attend an important event, they might get ready or even reach the venue, hours earlier.
6) It might be difficult for dementia patients to eat food. They might even lose their appetite or forget how to eat food. They may be inattentive while eating food or eat again forgetting that they had had food. If someone tries to control their eating habits, they may react haughtily.
7) Dementia patients may be introverts. They speak less and show little interest in what is happening around them. Lots of dementia patients have fallen into depression too.
8) Dementia patients may forget even their close family members and friends. They might struggle to recall basic details about themselves including their address or mobile phone number. This is a stage that is extremely painful for the family members and those who care for the patients. Dementia patients who forget the way to their home may get lost and roam around. This might happen at any stage of the illness.
