More than 100 people yesterday participated in a day-long program of free dementia screenings at Taipei Medical University’s Shuang Ho Hospital that aimed to raise awareness of a syndrome expected to become more prevalent as the nation ages.
The program, which attracted about 150 participants, included a dementia questionnaire, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test and a memory test, as well as measurements of blood cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, hospital Department of Medical Administration official Hsieh Heng-ju (謝亨如) said.
“Taiwan’s transition into an aging society has brought about an increase in the number of patients with dementia, with about 8 percent of the nation’s population of people aging 65 or older — which equals nearly 150,000 individuals — suffering from dementia or minor cognitive impairment,” hospital Department of Geriatric Psychiatry physician Lee Yao-tung (李耀東) said.
Lee said there are two types of dementia: primary degenerative dementia, which accounts for 70 to 80 percent of cases; and secondary dementia, which is responsible for 10 to 20 percent of cases.
In addition to the common early dementia symptom of memory loss, Lee said prolonged behavioral or emotional changes, such as depression or an inclination to get angry, could also be warning signs.
Hospital Department of Neurology director Hu Chaur-Jong (胡朝榮) said awareness of dementia is still relatively low in Taiwan, which could impede early diagnosis and treatment.
“The earlier the disease is caught, the more likely sufferers can control and assuage their conditions, maintain their cognitive function, have a better quality of life and reduce the burden on their caregivers,” Hu said.
Frequent engagement in brain-based activities, regular exercise and a balanced diet are keys to preventing dementia, Hu said.
The hospital plans to open special wards at the end of the year to provide comprehensive care for dementia patients.
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