12th May International Nurses day Dementia: Nurses the main stay of care Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. Monday 11th May 2009 HCFI: Dementia is a brain dysfunction characterised by a decline in memory and intellectual function. According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, approximately 18 million people worldwide live with the condition, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for more than half the number of cases.  A cause of serious disability among those who live with the condition, dementia has a wide-ranging impact on families and close friends, who can experience stress, frustration and exhaustion in caring for a loved one, as well as feelings of loss for the person they. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing.  Nurses have a central role to play in raising public awareness and recognition of dementia, said Dr KK Aggarwal President Heart Care Foundation of India and Director IMAAKN Sinha Institute on the eve of international nursed day. Nurses can promote the importance of assessment and early diagnosis; the need for inclusive community support services and accommodation options; and the value of education and training for formal and informal caregivers. They can encourage and support caregiver self-help groups and multidisciplinary collaboration in dementia-oriented practice and research. And they can advocate for the protection of patients’ rights and interests. The prevalence of dementia among those aged 65 to 69 years is 2.17% for males and 1.10% for females; in those 75 to 79 years, 5.04% for males and 6.67% for females; in 85 to 89 year olds, 18.45% for males and 22.76% for females; and among 90 to 94 year olds, 32.1% for males and 32.25% for females. Women tend to live longer than men. Alzheimer’s disease is perhaps the best-known type of dementia. Here, brain cells shrink or disappear over time, in the process affecting an individual’s behaviour and ability to perform day to day functions. Dementia can also be the result of vascular insults, such as stroke; HIV-related illness; excessive alcohol use; or metabolic imbalances. Most dementias, like that due to Alzheimer’s are progressive and irreversible; however, some types of dementia, such as that due to metabolic imbalance or vitamin deficiency, may be reversible if caught and treated early. The most common early symptoms of dementia are: memory loss, difficulty performing familiar tasks, problems with language, disorientation to time and place, poor or decreased judgement, problems keeping track of things, misplacing things, changes in mood or behaviour, changes in personality, and loss of initiative. These symptoms can sometimes be linked to conditions other than dementia, such as adverse drug reactions, thyroid gland dysfunction, infections, alcohol abuse and, in older people, depression.  There is no simple test to diagnose dementia. Diagnosis is usually made after taking a careful history from a close family member or friend, and examination of the person’s physical and mental status. Brain imaging technologies (CT, MRI and PET) can help give more weight to a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.  Nurses role is the most important as there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or most other types of dementia. Thus treatment focuses on improving quality of life. This includes minimizing symptoms and addressing their cause where possible. Drug treatments may be effective in controlling depression and agitation. In the early stages of dementia, it may also be possible to improve an individual’s memory using medication.