KMC Hospital Mangalore Launches First of its Kind Alzheimer’s Clinic
Mangaluru: KMC Hospital Mangalore has added yet another feature to its cap by launching a unique and first if its kind Alzheimers Clinic in Mangalore. Alzheimers is the most common form of dementia, a group of disorders that impairs mental functioning. There is one new case of dementia worldwide every three seconds. Declining memory, especially short-term memory is the most common early symptom of dementia and currently, there is no cure for this disease nor a cure can be expected in the near future.
10% of the population in Mangalore is above the age of 60 years and they make up around 40-50% of patients visiting any medical OPD in Mangalore today. As we march towards digitization, Mangalore is becoming a ghost city, where all the youth and children work in Bangalore and other metropolitan cities or are living abroad, leaving behind an ageing population. Although a major hub for medical tourism, specialized health care services devoted to the care of elderly are sparse in Mangalore. As elderly patients often have multiple diseases and a large number of medications; memory deficits and early signs of dementia in them often get ignored during a routine evaluation in a medical OPD.
The currently available treatments can slow down the progression of the disease in some cases for periods between 6 and 18 months and the main class of such compounds is the cholinesterase inhibitors. Alziehmers Clinic at KMC consists of various investigations and Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) by a panel of consultants which include Geriatric Specialist, Psychiatrist & Psycho-Social Consultation. For appointment contact: Health Check Lounge / 9448254700 KMC Hospital Ambedkar Circle.
“As of 2015, there were over 46 million people worldwide with dementia, 58% of them live in low and middle-income countries and this figure is set to increase to more than 131 million people by 2050. Although there are no specific preventative measures to recommend, what can be recommended is a healthy lifestyle – eating a healthy diet and staying physically, mentally and socially active. There is increasing research evidence to suggest that having a healthy lifestyle helps to reduce an individual’s risk”, Dr Keshava Pai, HOD Dept of Psychiatry, KMC Hospital, Mangalore.
Dr Sheetal Raj, Geriatric Specialist, KMC Hospital Mangalore stated “Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a method used to perform a holistic evaluation of an elderly person. Unlike a routine medical assessment which is limited to assessment of acute medical problem, during a CGA the geriatrician, evaluates the patients for acute medical problems as well as for presence of geriatric problems such as risk of falls, urinary or bowel incontinence, depression, memory problems, vision , hearing problems, and correction of problems arising from use of multiple drugs (polypharmacy). A CGA also takes into account the patient’s ability to carry out his or her daily activities and to live independently. Undergoing a geriatric assessment reduces the risk of falling ill and reduces the rate of hospitalization among elderly. The geriatric assessment also improves quality of life and reduces the need for caregiver or nursing support among otherwise bedridden elderly and is known to improve functional independence.”
“Early detection and prevention of dementia in elderly is primarily dependent on improving cardiovascular health, optimizing management of diabetes and other comorbidities, physical fitness and provision of psychological and social support mechanisms. Thus Alzheimer’s Clinic at KMC Hospital Mangalore incorporates all the above principles in a cost-effective manner, bringing the patient back to the era of providing holistic care” said Saghir Siddiqui, Unit Head, KMC Hospital Mangalore.
The Department of Psychiatry at KMC Hospital Attavar will also be organizing a guest lecture on “Caregiving in Dementia” by Dr P V Bhandary, Medical Director and Psychiatrist, Dept. of Psychiatry, Dr A V Baliga Memorial Hospital, Udupi at 10:00 am onwards on Friday, Sept 22nd. Interested people can join the ceremony.