Dementia is generally known as elderly disease. As we grow older, our body and brain lose the capability to support regular activity and body organs. A person who has dementia experiences memory loss and also faces communication issues.
According to the World Health Organization, countries having large aging populations have higher cases of dementia.
India is known to have 4 million people who have dementia. There is a misconception; there is no successful dementia treatment in India, which is not valid.
This post discusses everything you should know about dementia conditions in India.
Global Picture
According to the World Health Organization estimates, by 2025, there will be around 1.2 billion people over 60 in developing countries. The number of dementia patients is more likely to double every 20 years.
For example, there will be around 42.3 million dementia patients in 2020. The number will rise to 81.1 million by 2040.
The Asia Pacific will have the highest rate of growth in dementia patients. The increase of dementia for regions like India, China, and other Asia Pacific countries will be around 336%.
Latin America and Africa will have a growth rate of 235 to 393%. The developed countries will have the lowest growth rate of dementia, which will stand at 100%.
Due to the forecast of a substantial increase in dementia patients, the country needs to develop facilities for dementia treatment in India.
Demographics of dementia in India
The ratio of dementia in different regions of the country varies widely. It could be due to several reasons like environmental factors or other factors like the multicultural, multiethnic population in these regions.
Several urban studies have been conducted to identify the ratio of dementia, and the results of these studies are quite similar. For example,
- West India has a prevalence rate of 2.42% to 4.1%.
- North India shows a prevalence rate of 1.83%.
- East India shows a prevalence rate of 0.87% to 1.28%.
- South India shows a prevalence rate of 3.6%.
MCI and Dementia
MCI stands for mild cognitive impairment. According to several studies in India, MCI is the leading cause of many older adults’ progression to dementia. MCI is a transitional phase from growing old to dementia.
The community ratio of dementia of MCI to dementia is around 14.89% and higher. If you compare this with the data of a developed country, you will find it relatively high. The conversion rate of MCI to dementia in developed countries is 8% to 14%.
Actual figures of Dementia in India
Recent medical studies indicate an incidence rate of 4.7 per 1000 persons. This rate is relatively high in the US, where the incidence rate is 17.5 per 1000 persons. A study of the Dogra population in North India showed an incidence rate of 5.34 per 1000 persons.
Mortality in Dementia
A South Indian study shows that the aging population’s mortality risk is 2.3 times more for people with dementia. Similarly, studies show a high mortality rate for people with post-stroke dementia
Alternative Therapies
Medicines are not highly successful in treating dementia. They only treat the symptoms that do not lead to the full recovery of the dementia patient. Alternative therapies are considered the best dementia treatment in India.
These therapies combine several therapies like rehabilitation, clinical medicine, and holistic wellness therapy at different stages.
Rehabilitation plays a vital role in the recovery of the dementia patient. It is a practical approach to treat people with memory disorders. Rehabilitation therapy followed in dementia treatment is called cognitive rehabilitation.
It can also be called restorative care, where the dementia patient is encouraged to function optimally in their current health condition.
The cognitive rehabilitation program ensures dementia people are as independent as possible. It also provides them control over their life as much as they can. The program engages these patients into thoughtful activities that give them a sense of identity. The philosophy of cognitive rehabilitation focuses on the patient.
Clinical therapy involves using drugs to treat symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, which is the root cause.
Holistic treatments –holistic wellness therapy focuses on dementia patients as a whole. It focuses on the environment, food, activity, and communication. It targets each area differently. For example, it designs the environment around the patient to alleviate fear and guide him in these activities.
The post gives you a complete picture of the dementia condition in India. If you have someone suffering from dementia, you know the right treatments to follow.
Author bio: Zoya Maryam is a freelance writer and extremely fond of anything related to Digital Marketing and Business. She is writing Technologies as well as fiction, like good music, loves her cat, and eats too much. More than anything, She loves to share the knowledge of Technology.