HMC experts during the press conference.
DOHA: With at least three new cases of people with complaints of memory loss seen at Memory Clinic of Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) every week, a slew of activities are being held to create awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in the country.
The activities coincide with ‘World Alzheimer’s Month’ the international campaign held every September to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia.
“HMC has joined with Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) in raising awareness. Every three seconds someone in the world develop dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause for dementia,” said Dr Mani Chandran, Senior Consultant, Geriatric Psychiatrist Department of Geriatric Medicine, Rumailah Hospital while addressing a press conference.
The Department of Geriatrics and Department of Psychiatry at HMC have organised awareness events across the country. The events aim at educating those working with emergency services, all healthcare professionals and families of people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and worsens over time. It is the cause of 50-60% of cases of dementia. It pre-dominantly effects people above the age of 65 year, however some could get at younger age.
Dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include disturbance in memory, thinking ,orientation, ability to comprehend information, also affecting ones language and judgement. In addition, there can be changes in behaviour. These symptoms become severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities.
Dementia is caused by different diseases affecting the brain and Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Although dementia mainly affects older people ,it is not part of normal aging.
“We run the Memory Clinics in HMC at Rumailah Hospital under the department of geriatrics. We started with one clinic and it has grown to three now. There we have three clinics in a week. We get patients referred by the Primary Health Care Corporation and other departments of the HMC. In HMC other departments that also evaluate and manage patients with memory and related difficulties include Department of Psychiatry and Department of Neurosciences,” said Dr Chandran.
“At the memory clinics, we have three to four new assessments and average of 8-10 follow up cases weekly,” he added.
Dr Zerak Al Salihy, consultant, old age psychiatrist and programme director of old age fellowship at HMC and other experts were also present at the press conference.
“Significant proportion of patients we see under Old Age Psychiatry Services also have dementia. We have outpatient clinics, a small inpatient unit and a comprehensive home-care service. At least 200 patients are cared by home services. We get regular calls to help their loved ones effected by dementia,” said Dr Zerak.
He added that certain lifestyle choices, such as physical activity and diet, controlling hypertension and diabetes may help support brain health and reduce risk of dementia.
