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Dementia is the term applied to a group of symptoms that negatively impact memory, but Alzheimer’s is a specific progressive disease of the brain that slowly causes impairment in memory and cognitive function. The exact cause is unknown, and no cure is available. Therefore Alzheimers is a type of Dementia.
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Dementia is the broad term used to describe a number of different conditions affecting the brain, including Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Mixed Dementia, Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and more.
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If you or someone close to you is experiencing changes such as significant memory loss, confusion or language difficulties, it’s a good idea to visit your General Practitioner for an assessment.
Dementia is caused by neurodegeneration – the damage and death of the brain’s neurons. Depending on the types of neurons and brain regions affected, the form of dementia differs.
In the brains of patients with advanced Alzheimer’s, there is widespread degeneration, and damage to the hippocampus – a part of the brain essential to memory formation, and which produces new neurons. The loss of brain tissue results in a shrunken brain, enlarged ventricles and more space between the folds.
Africa is still at the phase of understanding, acceptance and de-stigmatization of the condition thus the need to have this conversation. The strategy for the Africa Region is to meet to support each other to deal with the global pandemic.
The conference will bring together delegates from all over Africa. Our Clarion call is to raise the priority of dementia by adopting the principles of the WHO Call for Action issued at the First WHO Ministerial Conference on Global Action Against Dementia in 2015.
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“Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) is also hosting it’s first Francophone Day on 16 November 2023, the programme will be conducted in French. Registration is free, but anyone wishing to attend must register separately to the regional conference.
Poor or Decreased Judgement
Frequent Memory Loss
Problems with Abstract Thinking
Changes in personality
Disorientation with Time & Space
Forgeting Simple Words
Loss of Initiative
Misplacing Things
Difficulty Perfoming Familiar Tasks
Changes in Mood or Behaviour
Age is the greatest risk factor for developing dementia.
As with our genes, we unfortunately can’t do anything to overcome ageing! However, some environmental factors seem to influence the likelihood of dementia and could account for about one-third of the overall risk of developing dementia.
This has one of the strongest links to dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.High blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, stroke & heart disease all increase the risk.
Our circulation supplies vital nutrients to the brain,and if something interferes with that, our neurons will suffer.
Inactivity & limited social & mental stimulation may increase the risk of dementia.
Smoking, Chronic alcohol use, Lower education level, Physical inactivity, Social isolation, Heart disease, Chronic sleep deprivation, Poor diet, Diabetes, Hypertension, High cholesterol, Obesity, Hearing loss & Depression. Some of these may be linked to poor cardiovascular health, and methods to increase physical activity in older patients are being investigated to see if they can delay dementia.
People with dementia commonly have sleep disturbances, even years prior to experiencing symptoms.
Alzheimer’s disease is known to alter production of the hormone melatonin by damaging a part of the brain which is responsible for regulating our circadian rhythm, or the sleep/wake cycle.
There is now evidence that head injuries – even mild, repeated concussions can be associated with the development in later life of a kind of degenerative disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Understanding the problem & joining a support group is the right first step.
Through our training sessions and counseling programmes, we believe that these form the right steps to your journey in managing Dementia. Our support programmes encompas Caregiver Training, Community Outreach & Advocacy, Support Groups & Counseling, Respite Care & Caregiver Tips
