As we age, we might find ourselves becoming more forgetful. Does that mean we have dementia? Learn more about dementia symptoms and dementia treatment.
With normal ageing, elderly people become forgetful because of poor concentration. There are many causes for poor memory but forgetfulness is not equivalent to dementia. Most elderly people will say that their memory is not as good as previously and they may have trouble remembering where they left their house keys, but this does not mean that they have dementia.
What is dementia? Dementia is the loss of intellectual abilities (such as thinking, remembering and reasoning) which interfere with a person’s daily functioning. It is not a disease in itself, but rather a group of symptoms that may accompany certain diseases.
Someone with dementia may have these symptoms:
There is no definitive cure for dementia as the exact causes are unclear. However, it is possible to minimise some of the common dementia symptoms with medication. Therapies such as reality orientation and reminiscence also help to manage some of these dementia symptoms. The occupational therapists carry out activities of daily living training for the elderly to encourage independence in the community.
IMH runs a Psychogeriatric Clinic located at Specialist Clinic B, Geylang Behavioural Medicine Clinic and the Community Wellness Clinic, which cater to the mental health needs of the elderly in Singapore. Services provided by the multi-disciplinary team include both inpatient and outpatient assessments and management.
To make an appointment to see a doctor, please call 6389 2200.
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This article was last reviewed on 29 Mar 2021
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