Jakarta, CNN Indonesia –
Every year, September is a memorial as the month alzheimer world. This moment is used to campaign for public awareness of Alzheimer’s sufferers. But this year, a pandemic Covid-19 presents its own challenges for people with Alzheimer’s or caregiver.
Alzheimer’s is a condition where the brain contracts and shrinks rapidly. Basically, the human brain will shrink and shrink with age. But in those with Alzheimer’s, this condition occurs much faster.
Alzheimer’s also gradually affects memory because the memory center of the brain or the hippocampus is also affected.
The Covid-19 pandemic situation is not impossible to contribute to additional problems for Alzheimer’s sufferers, including people who care for patients or caregiver. Nobody is happy about the uncertainty of a pandemic, including people with dementia (ODD), especially Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s condition is already a problem in itself, what if it is added to the epidemic.
Neurologist at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of Atma Jaya University Jakarta, Yuda Turana, admitted that the pandemic makes the position of people with dementia difficult. The person caring for the patient or caregiver will feel the same way.
“The situation is normal, some are difficult to adapt, now the challenge is new to normal. Forced to wear a mask, then how come they are restricted from leaving the house,” said Yuda in a webinar with BCA and Alzheimer’s Indonesia (ALZI) some time ago.
In addition to age, citing a study published in the journal Lancet Yuda, describing risk factors for Alzheimer’s including obesity, smoking, social isolation, lack of physical activity, air pollution, low education or lack of stimulation to the brain. hearing loss, head injuries, sleep disturbances, loneliness, hypertension, alcohol consumption, as well as stress or depression.
“Hearing loss because of today’s digital era everyone is listening to loud, repetitive music. Depression, repeated stress can be bad for our brains. The Lancet also said that depression is a major risk factor, “explained Yuda.
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Photo: Fajrian Symptoms and causes of Alzheimer’s disease in an infographic- – |
For ODD, adapting to new normal is not easy. People with dementia have difficulty complaining, have difficulty conveying feelings, especially if there are changes in habits – such as wearing masks and limited outdoor activities.
Only clinical symptoms can be observed and measured eg cough, fever, difficulty breathing.
Patients, he continued, also have an aspect of wandering or a kind of wandering. ODD may not remember their own name, home address, experience disorientation even though they are in a familiar place.
This has the potential to be stressor especially for caregiver.
Yuda also suggested caregiver to stick to a routine even with minor changes. This understanding will make the view of the new normal less burdensome.
Caregiver also must be connected socially.
“Communicating, always joining Whatsapp Group but not always discussing viruses,” he added again.
Meanwhile, for people with dementia or ODD, especially elderly ODD with comorbid diseases (comorbidities) should always be monitored. The reason is, said Yuda, the risk of death would potentially be higher if Covid-19 was added.
(the / NMA)
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