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