Nearly 60% of all patients ( other than children and maternity cases) in hospitals , these days, are senior citizens. And there are a variety of reasons for this. Although an acute busy hospital ward may not necessarily be the ideal place for their general care but unfortunately quite often there are no alternatives. < >
An acute ward full of very sick patients, nurses /doctors running up and down sometimes make an older person on the verge of some 'forgetfulness', totally confused and disorientated. On top of that any acute physical illness , infection , trauma , surgical operations etc can also make such individuals loose their faculty , at least temporarily. < >
Dementia is a condition ofen affecting older people, is sometimes misdiagnosed ; acute confusional states or disorientation must be correctly diagnosed and with approprite medical treatment , disappears withn a few days. Dementia , on the other hand, is a more permanent progressive condition requiring further in depth assessment and psychiatric examination. Sadly such thorough examination is not always undertaken. Lack of time, lack of facilities and experience, lack of understanding may be some of the reasons<>
The recent move by the local media jointly with a few other organisations is therefor most welcome. Unless people are made aware of this possibility, some elderly patients are bound to slip through the net and still remain undiagnosed even after a spell of hospital stay-- a great opportunity , will, therefore, be missed!!
The overall incidence of dementia may be increasing ; may be the condition is being detected more often than in the past - and with people living longer , their chances of developing the condition is also higher. Whatever it might be - we all , as a caring society, must attempt to understand the condition and do everything possible for an early detection and to find the best possible 'management' of the affected people
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