St Giles Hospital seeing rise in elderly patients with dementia

The St Giles Hospital is seeing a rise in the number of older people coming to the facility, and most of the cases are related to dementia.

Acting Medical Superintendent, Doctor Sheetal Singh highlighted this when asked about the most common cases being reported at St Giles, and she stated that the aging population is more complex than just dementia because many patients are also coming with other non-communicable diseases like diabetes and hypertension, while some may also have a history of stroke.

Doctor Sheetal says in order to understand individuals with dementia, they really need to understand the aging process and what actually happens to the brain as people age.

She says the brain shrinks and is reduced in size, and that is why they see changes in behaviour.

Doctor Sheetal also stated that for dementia in our country, they are able to provide support to patients and families by educating them on how the symptoms start and how the illness actually progresses.

Insert: Dr Sheetal on provide psycoeducation 6th March 26

Doctor Sheetal also stated that it becomes very challenging because patients can have different presentations, where some might come with mood and behavioural changes, while some of them might even start having psychosis, meaning they would be detached from reality and may start living in their past.

She adds they may feel that they are still in their 20s or 30s and might want to do some activities that might not be appropriate for their age, and this is something that they really need to talk about more often.

The Acting Medical Superintendent says with the different policies being made and the different platforms being created with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, they are able to educate people.

She adds unfortunately there is no reversing the condition, and there is no returning to what the functioning was two decades ago, so that is something they really need to communicate to communities and families so they do not become frustrated when they are unable to find solutions to the problems.