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Activity Centre
110, Ketawalamulla Lane, Colombo 10, Sri Lanka
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Helpline
DEMENTIA & ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
DEMENTIA & ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
What is Dementia?
Dementia is a degenerative condition that affects memory, thinking, and communication due to damage to the brain. Over time, it can also lead to changes in mood, personality, and behavior. It is not a specific disease but a general term for various disorders that cause cognitive decline. For a person to be diagnosed with dementia, at least two core brain functions must be significantly affected. These include memory loss, difficulty with language and communication, problems with concentration, impaired judgment, or trouble understanding the surrounding environment.
Although dementia becomes more common with age, it is not a normal part of aging. The likelihood of developing dementia increases over time, with about five percent of people over 65 experiencing it, and around 20 percent of those over 80.
There are several factors that increase the risk of dementia. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, an unhealthy diet, social isolation, hearing loss, and a lack of mental activity can all contribute. Medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and depression also play a role. A lack of physical exercise has also been linked to a higher risk of dementia. According to the World Health Organization, taking steps to reduce these risk factors can help lower the chances of developing cognitive decline.
Alzheimer’s Disease International
Types of Dementia
LAF is an organization that grew organically. Lorraine Yu, the Co- Founder who conceptualized and spearheaded the activities of the Organization realised the need for an Activity Centre for persons with Dementia when she used to visit persons with dementia at their homes and in hospitals. The Activity Centre came into being in January 2012 after LAF got its own facility Resource and Information Centre in September 2011.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for between 60 to 80 percent of cases. It develops slowly over several years, and one of the earliest signs is difficulty with short-term memory, such as forgetting why you entered a room or who visited the day before. Over time, it affects reasoning, language, and daily functioning. More women are likely to develop Alzheimer’s than men, and while there is currently no cure, early detection can help improve the quality of life of the person with dementia, manage symptoms better and it also helps the person and the family to learn more about the disease and make plans for the future.
Vascular dementia is the second most common type and is often seen in men. It is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, which can happen after a stroke or a series of minor strokes. In some cases, vascular dementia occurs alongside Alzheimer’s disease.
Lewy body dementia is caused by abnormal protein deposits in brain cells, leading to memory loss, confusion, and movement difficulties. People with this type of dementia often experience symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, such as stiff muscles and difficulty walking. It tends to worsen more quickly than Alzheimer’s, with an average life expectancy of around seven years after symptoms begin.
Frontotemporal dementia primarily affects people in their 40s to early 60s and is a major cause of dementia in younger adults. It results from the loss of nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to personality changes, inappropriate social behavior and difficulties with language. In some cases, mobility issues and bladder problems can also develop. Life expectancy after diagnosis can range from two to fifteen years.
Alcohol-related dementia is another form of cognitive decline that results from excessive alcohol consumption over many years. One specific condition, called Korsakoff’s syndrome, affects short-term memory and can cause personality changes. However, if a person stops drinking, improves their diet, and takes vitamin supplements, the progression of the disease can be halted.
Early-Onset Dementia
When dementia occurs before the age of 65, it is known as early-onset dementia. Some individuals begin showing symptoms as early as their 40s or 50s. While Alzheimer’s disease is still the most common cause, early-onset cases are more likely to be linked to genetic factors and tend to progress faster than those that develop later in life.
Sources : Shorter Oxford textbook of Psychiatry; SL Association of Geriatric Medicine – Dementia holistic approach; ICD 10; ADI international; WHO guideline “Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia; LAF newsletters