Dementia is a collection of symptoms caused by brain disease or disorder that is chronic-progressive (ongoing and takes place in a long time), where there are lofty cortical dysfunctions diverse, including: memory, power of thought, orientation, capture power, numeracy, study skills, language, and rate-making decisions (insight and judgment).

Until recently, dementia was ranked first as the cause of cognitive-behavioral dysfunction in old age. Based on the cause, dementia is divided into Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and dementia caused by something else, such as Parkinson’s disease, AIDS, Pick disease, and so forth.

As already mentioned, “senility can be a hereditary factor, elderly patients or patients with Alzheimer’s disease tend to have a thinner layer of the brain and less active, particularly in the entorhinal cortex. Depletion of this layer can occur because of variations in the genes forming apo-lipoprotein E4 (apo E4). So, beware of those who at one family member has the proven experience of dementia.

In vascular dementia, dementia due to interruption of blood flow to the brain, such as in cases of accidents, trauma, and stroke. Impaired blood flow is reduced supply of nutrients and oxygen to the brain cells. As we all know, the brain cells is a collection of nerve cells that coordinates the motion of our bodies, and no less important, as the memory storage. Should a computer, if you have a power supply disruption; in this case is the bloodstream, the brain works as a driver and memory storage would decline. Decline over time it can be seen as dementia.

The words “annoyance” as seen at the beginning of the sentence in the article certainly is not foreign in our ears and mouth when dealing with older people. Moreover in those aged over 65 years. However, our society is often mistaken to assume that their members are merely experiencing the normal symptoms of senility. However, what if senility is continuing and becoming more frequent?

Increasing age a person is also a factor that plays an important role. The Alzheimer’s disease increases dramatically after age 65 and 95 years. For people aged 65 years, men have a 0.6% chance of a woman suffering from dementia and 0.8%, 11% (men) and 14% (women) at the age of 85 years; 21% (men) and 25% (women) on age 90 years; and 36% (men) and 41% (women) at the age of 95 years.

Dementia Symptoms

Here is mentioned 10 common symptoms that showed symptoms of dementia, namely:

• Impaired memory (forgetfulness), but long-term memory is still good (still can tell about his life on the Japanese colonial period). Normally, parents may forget names, appointments, but occasionally can remember back.
• One to put the goods. Normally, parents are able to either put the keys / wallet.
• Impaired recognition (disorientation of time, place, and person). Normally, parents can not forget the date.
• Changes in mood and behavior, such as emotional instability. A person also must have emotions, like sadness, anxiety, or excitement. However, the emotion in the normal person can still be controlled and does not change in a short time.
• Difficulty speaking and speaking. Although, normally, the term is sometimes also difficult to find / the right words.
• Loss of initiative, become apathetic, just sitting in front of the TV for hours, and lazy. Although, someone may feel tired too lazy to do a thing.
• Difficulty taking the right decision.
• Difficulty doing typical tasks, like shopping, dress, pay phone, and manage finances.
• Changes in personality, such as aggression / irritability, paranoid.
• The difficulty of abstract thinking can not do the calculation. Normally, a person will feel challenged to complete tasks.

However, to establish a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is 100% correct action required actual brain cell biopsy, which is a medical technique that takes / eroding brain tissue. However, until now health experts in the field is still experiencing difficulties in establishing the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease for patients still alive.
Diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease are based solely on clinical symptoms discovery (the change of attitude, character, noble functions, and other capabilities that can be observed in plain view), neurological examination, neuro-physiological, and cognitive-behavioral examination.

Dementia Treatment

Dementia treatment and cure is not permanent. This means that there is treatment for dementia patients to date can not be 100% cure the disease of dementia. This is because the ability of nerve cells in the brain to repair itself after damage, it is not as good as other body cells, especially skin cells.

In vascular dementia or dementia caused by something other than Alzheimer’s disease can be improved by addressing the underlying disease or disorder. However, treatment will become more complex for Alzheimer’s disease.

Several pharmacological therapy for patients with Alzheimer’s disease, which until now is still considered effective, among other acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors class, group vitamins, or drugs to cope with a mood disorder psychotropic within certain time limits. Among the supplements mentioned drugs, acetyl cholinesterase inhibitors are the most successful drugs improve the brain cholinergic system.

In addition to pharmacologic therapy (with drugs), patients can also be given non-pharmacological therapy. Once again, non-pharmacologic therapy can not cure the disease permanently, but it proved to inhibit the development (progression) syndrome dementia. Therapy-non-pharmacological therapy aimed at:

• Help guide the family or the people who cared for him (caregiver) to provide appropriate information and understanding, and
• Optimize the capabilities that are still there.
  Provide support through the neighborhood.
• Overcoming (control) patients with personality disorder and behavior.

Some examples of non-pharmacological therapy that can be applied to patients with dementia in Alzheimer’s disease in general or in particular is “LMN-no debate”:

‘L’: Paintings and colors Gentle: Avoid abstract paintings on the environment around the patient. However, it can be decorated with soft colors.

“M”: Music: Patients with the music played.

“N”: Nutrition: Providing good nutrition and a balanced, deficit repair the patient’s body functions, like vision and hearing deficits, improvement in sleep quality of patients, and improved behavior.

“No debate“: People who assist or supervise elderly patients with dementia syndrome should not be debating the hallucinations or illusions shown in behavior of patients (particularly common in patients with Alzheimer’s disease). However, the caregiver should invite discussion about the things seen, felt, or experienced by patients at the time. With discussion, caregiver tried to calm the patient and encourage patients back into the real world.

Do not Ban elderly who experience this senility disorder. But accompany them to still be able to live happily in old age. We certainly do not want to be treated such as old age approached us one day, right?

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