It is the most common cause of dementia among senior citizens.
Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of Alzheimer’s, though symptoms may vary from person to person. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can be an indicator, but not everyone with MCI will develop the disease.
According to the Malaysian Research Institute of Ageing (MyAgeing) at Universiti Putra Malaysia, around 45% of senior citizens in peninsular Malaysia have MCI. “This means nearly five out of 10 senior citizens face problems related to MCI or slight impairment in mental functions,” says MyAgeing deputy director Dr Rahimah Ibrahim.
Early intervention
She says MCI might not interfere with an individual’s daily life as it can be treated with early intervention. The signs of MCI would be obvious to freinds and family members, allowing for immediate measures to be carried out.
Management of the disease, changes in lifestyle and lifelong learning could prevent, or at least delay, the onset of cognitive and functional decline among elderly folks, Rahimah says.
She adds that studies have shown an individual with a strong religious foundation is less likely to develop neurodegenerative conditions. Gender, age, ethnicity, education, marital status and household income are also associated with the cognitive functions of senior citizens.
According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2018, one in 10 persons aged over 60 suffers from dementia. Based on figures from last year, senior citizens make up 11% or 3.4 million of the Malaysian population.
Rahimah said Malaysia can expect a steady rise in cases of Alzheimer’s given the rapidly ageing population, which reinforces the need for the community to provide continuous support to families who care for aged relatives.
“Elder care is a full-time job, and many family members are not ready to assume the role as caregivers. Some of them are also financially constrained.
“The burden is on middle-aged individuals caught between ageing parents and adult children, also referred to as the ‘sandwich generation’, and these are usually women who are often forced to give up promotions or leave their jobs to care for their family.”
The stress of taking on the role can affect caregivers’ health and wellbeing, as well as trigger financial concerns for when they themselves become senior citizens.
“Managing a patient with Alzheimer’s is not the same as caring for normal elders, given that there is no cure for the disease,” Rahimah adds. “Patients are often isolated because they are regarded as senile by those who fail to recognise their need for interaction.”
Educating the public
Dr Nor Azlina Abu Bakar of the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia says there should be more public education on Alzheimer’s.
“Signs of the disease should be highlighted so early diagnosis can be carried out. This will help the patient plan his or her life’s journey, and this awareness should be introduced in schools,” she says.
“Focus should be given to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity to reduce the risks of the disease.”
According to her, stigma or discrimination towards Alzheimer’s patients is due to the lack of public awareness and understanding of the condition.
“The problem arises when patients realise there have been fewer visits from relatives or friends, causing them to be socially isolated. Some feel that their own family are overprotective to the extent that they prefer to be independent.”
The pandemic has also had an impact due to social-distancing measures, which exacerbate isolation. “This has brought about a decline in cognitive function, with the patient suffering from depression.
“They are also not able to receive treatment due to business closures that affect clinics offering physical therapy,” she says, adding that simple activities such as taking a walk has been shown to improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.
This article was written in conjunction with World Alzheimer’s Day today.