Dementia in the Digital Age
Photo: Tania Van den Berghen by Pixabay
Chronic diseases are our focus right now at Jinga Life. So far, we’ve discussed chronic conditions like asthma, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Millions of people worldwide are affected by the prevalence of these chronic diseases. We’re focusing on dementia in today’s article, and how it can be managed in the digital age.
What is Dementia?
According to the Alzheimer's Association,
Dementia is not a specific disease. It's an overall term that describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease accounts for 60 to 80 per cent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second most common dementia type.
Who does Dementia Affect?
Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases. (World Health Organisation). Dementia is experienced in many different ways by many different people. Dementia is not a normal part of aging, although it is associated with older people. However, there is such a thing as early onset dementia.
Symptoms & Causes of Dementia
As we’ve mentioned, dementia affects everyone in different ways, which means it can be a harder chronic disease to detect. The Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland notes that early symptoms of dementia can include:
Memory loss (especially of recent events)
Change in mood, behaviour, or personality
Struggling to find the right word
Confusion (especially in familiar settings)
Repeating yourself several times without realising
Misplacing possessions or returning them to the wrong place
Dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. (Mayo Clinic)
Photo: Gerd Altmann by @Pixabay
Prevention of Dementia
Dementia is hard to prevent. Researchers are still trying to figure out how the disease works precisely. Whilst prevention is not 100% possible, it is possible to reduce the risk. Stanford Health Care recommends:
Not smoking
Maintaining a healthy weight
Exercising plenty
Eating healthily
Managing other health issues such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes
Keeping your brain active with puzzles and new hobbies
Managing Dementia with Jinga Life
Managing dementia can be difficult, but it is possible. If you or a family member is affected by dementia, there are ways you can manage the condition. At Jinga Life, we are big believers in digital health care. Using innovative medical technology, it is possible to become proactive in managing chronic diseases such as dementia.
Treatment for dementia can involve a host of medication. The nature of the disease means the person taking the medication may get confused or forget to take their medication. Or they may remember to take it, but forget about this further on in the day and take a double dosage. Not everyone can have someone with them to ensure they take their medication properly regularly. This is where digital health technology comes in. With the likes of a digital pill dispenser, taking medication becomes a lot easier. By automating medication, you can rest assured your family is taking their medication everyday.