MANILA (September 19) – According to the Department of Health (DOH), around one million Filipinos suffer from dementia at the moment. This highlights the critical need for increased awareness, prevention, and support systems for those who are impacted and their families.
In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon event commemorating World Alzheimer’s Month, DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo stated that dementia is most frequent among senior individuals, with approximately 10% of elderly Filipinos potentially affected.
Although Lewy body dementia (LBD) and other types of dementia also contribute to the increasing numbers, Alzheimer’s disease continues to be the primary cause.
LBD is a degenerative brain condition marked by dementia, movement difficulties, and behavioral changes caused by aberrant protein deposits in the brain known as Lewy bodies.
Visual hallucinations, cognitive disturbances, and motor issues like muscle stiffness and sluggish movement are among its symptoms.
“When memory problems happen daily, like forgetting what’s being talked about, losing one’s train of thought, or having difficulty with speech, then that’s not normal; it’s not normal for an elderly person to become forgetful to that extent; that’s something we need to change in how we think,” he said.
Domingo further underlined that dementia symptoms go beyond memory loss and typically include changes in mood and behavior.
“For example, an elderly person who used to be outgoing and talkative may suddenly become quiet, or the opposite, someone who used to be reserved may suddenly become overly talkative,” he mentioned.
To assist lessen hazards, the elderly should maintain a balanced diet, manage illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension, and keep their brains active through mental exercises and regular social interaction, particularly with other seniors.
Domingo compared the brain to a muscle that weakens when not exercised, asking families to involve their elderly relatives in conversations and activities on a regular basis.
The DOH advised the public to be wary of bogus health claims on the internet, emphasizing that the government does not promote any dietary supplements for dementia prevention and that a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and Vitamin B is adequate.
As the number of dementia cases rises in tandem with the nation’s aging population, it also calls for community support to guarantee that the elderly may live with dignity.
