Doctors remind that dementia is currently irreversible, but early intervention can help delay the deterioration of cognitive function and maintain the ability to take care of oneself.
Dementia affects not only the patient but also the entire family. According to local research estimates, in the next 20 years, there are likely to be 48 new dementia patients in Taiwan every day, which is equivalent to one family starting to face the challenge of dementia care every 30 minutes. Doctors remind that dementia is not normal aging. If an elder in the family shows symptoms such as significant changes in memory, judgment, expression or living ability, they should seek medical evaluation as soon as possible to seize the opportunity for early intervention.
Xu Ronglong pointed out that common causes of dementia include Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular diseases. As nerve cells in the brain continue to be damaged, disease degeneration is currently irreversible. However, early detection and treatment can help delay the deterioration of cognitive function, improve mental and behavioral symptoms, and maintain patients' ability to take care of themselves. He reminded that if treatment is delayed, as the disease progresses, the patient may gradually develop from simple memory loss to needing assistance from others in dressing, eating, bathing and toileting, and even requiring 24-hour care.
Xu Ronglong said that clinically, you can pay attention to the "ten warning signs of dementia", including memory loss that affects daily life, inability to cope with familiar things, problems with speech expression or writing, confusion about time and place, reduced judgment or alertness, difficulties with abstract thinking or spatial visual understanding, disorganized objects and loss of the ability to look back, changes in mood and personality, difficulty in planning things or solving problems, and gradual withdrawal from the workplace or social activities. If the above-mentioned changes occur in an elder, especially if they affect familiar life functions, they should seek professional evaluation and should not simply attribute them to "old age and poor memory."
The effects of dementia are not limited to the patients themselves, either. Huang Likai, chairman of the New Taipei City Dementia Association, pointed out that family caregivers often face financial, human and physical and mental pressures. Local research in Taiwan shows that the average daily caregiving time for family caregivers with dementia exceeds 11 hours. 94% of working caregivers have taken leave for this reason, and 24% have been suspended without pay. Data from the American Alzheimer's Association also shows that 18% of caregivers have switched from full-time to part-time, and 9% have even resigned or retired early.
Among them, medication is also a major challenge for caregivers. Huang Likai said that elderly patients with dementia often suffer from multiple chronic diseases at the same time and may need to take multiple drugs. In addition, difficulty in swallowing, drug side effects or cognitive decline may make patients resist taking medications. If a patient vomits medicine, is unwilling to take medicine, or feels unwell after taking medicine, family members should proactively tell the doctor, and the medical team will evaluate whether to adjust the medicine or dosage form. It is not advisable to stop the medicine, grind the medicine, or change the dosage on your own.
Currently, in addition to traditional oral tablets, dementia treatments also include different delivery methods such as oral liquids, skin patches, and injections. Physicians can choose the appropriate method based on the patient's condition, medication response, and care needs. Xu Ronglong emphasized that family members should observe the patient's actual medication status. If they find difficulty in taking medication or have side effects, they should discuss it with the doctor in time to improve treatment cooperation.
Xu Ronglong also reminded that the course of dementia may last for more than 9 to 10 years. As the disease progresses, in addition to the increase in medical expenses, the cost of care manpower and time will also increase simultaneously. Rather than waiting until the patient is completely disabled before facing care issues, it is better to seek medical treatment proactively when early warning signs appear, identify the cause early and receive appropriate treatment. In addition to delaying the course of the disease, it can also preserve more autonomy and dignity in life for the patient, while reducing the long-term care burden on family members.
Dementia is not normal aging. If an elder experiences significant changes in memory, judgment, or living ability, they should seek medical evaluation as soon as possible.
