At last the G8 nations’ politicians are “ declaring war “ on dementia, two months after President Aquino at the Dementia Society of the Philippines

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25318194
;

http://www.dementia.org.ph/?fid=history
).

Let’s hope they remember their promises.


The Forum has had two related threads this year

(http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....eing++elderly+
;

http://filipinaroses.com/showthread....g-With-Dignity
).


Dementia should concern us all - directly, or indirectly through affected relatives. It probably affects 800,000 in the UK, at least 200,000 in the Philippines, 44 million people in the world, and is increasing in frequency, because people are living longer.

(http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementi...-dementia.aspx
).


The UK spends several times more on cancer research than dementia, and the Dementia Society of the Philippines was only established a decade ago.


There are many conditions where brain function declines, inevitable with increasing age, but prematurely in the commonest type ( Alzheimer’s … about 3/5 ), vascular dementia ( a fifth ) , or “ mixed “ and others ( a fifth ).


Dementia is incurable ; ultimately sufferers need full time care ; and the social / economic impact is devastating. It costs the UK more than cancer and heart disease combined.


Drugs to stop or even slow the disease progress remain elusive, although there are some new clinical trials. Part of the problem is early diagnosis – by the time memory problems become noticeable, too many brain cells have died over the previous decade or more.


We do know more about the pathology, and changes to be seen on brain imaging.


We are left at present with trying to reduce the risk.

Five measures / healthy habits are thought to help :
• Exercise ( the most important )

• Staying slim

• Eating fruit and vegetables

• Not smoking

• Moderate alcohol intake.


Sounds familiar ? Responsibilty for these lies with individuals and their lifestyle choices. I never make judgements on the Forum. This is the best evidence for reducing risk for the various types of dementia until research comes up with something better.