Dementia is the loss or impairment of cognitive conditions
Initiative to screen all individuals above age 60 for dementia
ASHA workers to be trained to identify dementia as part of this initiative
Dementia is the loss or impairment of cognitive conditions like thinking, remembering and reasoning in people, particularly above age 60.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, made this announcement during the unveiling of the Final Draft of the Karnataka Action Plan for Dementia at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru.
The formulation of this plan was a collaborative effort between the Dementia India Alliance, NIMHANS, and the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
The action plan, as proposed, aims to establish a dementia registry and provide in-home caregiver support for individuals affected by dementia.
Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director and Senior Professor of Psychiatry at NIMHANS, emphasized the significance of acknowledging dementia as a concern within the public health domain. She stated that the government will progressively assess the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the draft action plan.
One of the key recommendations is the screening of all individuals above the age of 60 for dementia.
Additionally, those with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, respiratory conditions, and mental health disorders, which make them more susceptible to cognitive impairment, should also undergo cognitive assessment.
Dr. Murthy underscored the importance of focusing on high-risk groups as around 40% of dementia cases can be prevented by addressing associated risk factors. She suggested the initiation of a comprehensive screening program encompassing mental health, neurological conditions, and substance use disorders.
Currently, only 5% of individuals with dementia are identified, according to data from the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative. Dr. Murthy emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and intervention and announced that ASHA workers will be trained to identify dementia as part of this initiative.
Dementia is the loss or impairment of cognitive conditions
Initiative to screen all individuals above age 60 for dementia
ASHA workers to be trained to identify dementia as part of this initiative
Dementia is the loss or impairment of cognitive conditions like thinking, remembering and reasoning in people, particularly above age 60.
Dinesh Gundu Rao, the Minister for Health and Family Welfare, made this announcement during the unveiling of the Final Draft of the Karnataka Action Plan for Dementia at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru.
The formulation of this plan was a collaborative effort between the Dementia India Alliance, NIMHANS, and the Department of Health and Family Welfare.
The action plan, as proposed, aims to establish a dementia registry and provide in-home caregiver support for individuals affected by dementia.
Dr. Pratima Murthy, Director and Senior Professor of Psychiatry at NIMHANS, emphasized the significance of acknowledging dementia as a concern within the public health domain. She stated that the government will progressively assess the implementation of the recommendations outlined in the draft action plan.
One of the key recommendations is the screening of all individuals above the age of 60 for dementia.
Additionally, those with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer, respiratory conditions, and mental health disorders, which make them more susceptible to cognitive impairment, should also undergo cognitive assessment.
Dr. Murthy underscored the importance of focusing on high-risk groups as around 40% of dementia cases can be prevented by addressing associated risk factors. She suggested the initiation of a comprehensive screening program encompassing mental health, neurological conditions, and substance use disorders.
Currently, only 5% of individuals with dementia are identified, according to data from the Karnataka Brain Health Initiative. Dr. Murthy emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and intervention and announced that ASHA workers will be trained to identify dementia as part of this initiative.
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