The number of dementia sufferers worldwide is expected to triple by 2050 and from 50 million today to 152 million, as noted at the event organized by the Municipality of Kordelio-Evosmos in collaboration with the Hellenic Society of Alzheimer’s Disease and Congenital Disorders, on the occasion of today’s World Alzheimer’s Day.
The Deputy Minister of Interior (Macedonia-Thrace), Stavros Kalafatis, expressed his readiness to contribute to the realization of the Day Center for Alzheimer’s patients, claimed by the Municipality of Kordelio-Evosmos.
For his part, Mr. Mandalianos in his greeting, stressed that the municipality, apart from the Day Center, will claim a Mobile Alzheimer’s Unit for the diagnosis of the disease.
200,000 people in Greece are taking medication for dementia
The president of the Hellenic Society of Alzheimer’s Diseases and Congenital Disorders, Magda Tsolaki, a neurologist-psychiatrist and former professor of Neurology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, pointed out that every three seconds a patient is diagnosed with dementia. In addition, according to recent figures from the International Alzheimer’s Society, 41 million people with the disease have not been diagnosed.
As for Greece, he said that most people suffering from dementia have reached the doctor, as the data shows that 200,000 people are taking the appropriate drugs.
Ms. Tsolaki pointed out that the cost of treating the disease is estimated at 1 trillion. dollars and is expected to double by 2050.
He stressed the importance of early diagnosis of the disease in order to provide better care to patients and support in the family, while adding that we should pay attention in case an elderly person has memory, attention disorders, difficulty in daily activities such as shopping.
According to her, good nutrition and exercise, as well as exercise of the mind, prevent the onset of dementia, while aggravating factors are considered to be increased homocysteine, depression (increases the risk 3 to 4 times), stress, diabetes , pressure and orthostatic hypotension.
As for the drug approved in June for Alzheimer’s, it does not seem to have very good results for the patient, but it has very good results for the brain. “The patient’s brain is improving, but the patient does not have much to gain,” Ms Tsolaki said.
A study from the United States found that those who received one dose of flu vaccine had a 17% lower risk of dementia and those who took two or more had a 30% lower risk.
Ms. Tsolaki referred to the services provided by the Day Centers to patients such as mental empowerment, physical exercise, treatment using music and painting and providing care to patients at home.
SOURCE: AMNA
