There is no need to emphasise the need for early detection and diagnosis of dementia and subsequent good and effective management and care provisions , as and when necessary. <>
Dementia mainly affects people in older age and nearly 20% of individuals above 80 are either suffering or will suffer from its dreadful effects. Quite appropriately the authorities are concerned and are encouraging an 'early detection of dementia' with the hope that measures taken at that stage might arrest its full development later. This is laudible. >
Unfortunately, however the methods commonly deployed are not entirely based on good research based evidence ; the true fact is proper good quality long term reasearch study has not yet been carried out in this area. Many are jumping the gun a bit too soon and organisations with 'vested interest' are encouraging quick and early diagnosis ; after all old age and dementia is a very lucrative field!!>
Furthermore too many cases diagnosed 'early' are skewing the statistics and planning for care - some of which may be totally unnecessary, yet causing a lot of anxiety and fear. Of course attempts must ne made to diagnose dementia early and correctly - unfortuantely the methods currently used are not all necessarily evidence-based! A degree of caution and restraint is desirable and more in depth scientific research and evaluation by neutral bodies are urgently needed.
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