60% Alzheimer Cases Go Undiagnosed

Almost 60% of Alzheimer cases and other forms of dementia go undiagnosed as 2/3 adults cannot differentiate between normal signs of aging and the symptoms of dementia. Around 1/3 people feel there is no support for victims of dementia. Due to this about 4,00,000 families fail to get vital help from the NHS. The Department of Health has found that against the 6,34,000 victims hardly 2,50,000 dementia patients are registered by GP's.

This information has been revealed as part of the government's advertising campaign in England aimed at encouraging early diagnosis. The ad campaign shows a daughter's dilemma as she realizes that her father is affected by memory loss.

Experts have urged family members to look out for warning signs of dementia like anxiety, confusion or memory loss in elderly relatives when they visit them this festive season. This helps in early diagnosis. Early intervention slows down the progression of the disease. This helps the affected to plan the future, reduce care home admissions and improve the patient's as well as the entire family's quality of life.

Source: Medindia