Today, with the extension of life expectancy and the development of various methods for intervening in diseases, the science of old age (geriatrics) is becoming more and more on the agenda. With age, not only physical diseases (such as cardiovascular circulation problems, blood pressure, diabetes, orthopedic disorders) but also neurological and psychiatric problems (such as memory loss, forgetfulness) need to be addressed. Dementia (Alzheimer’s, etc.) is one of them.
What is Geriatrics?
Geriatrics, a field of science that emerged with the increase in life expectancy, aims to take precautions (preventive medicine) regarding the problems that individuals in the elderly population will encounter, to detect diseases at an early stage, and to increase the individual’s quality of life by intervening when necessary. Geriatrics is the branch of science that deals with patients over the age of 65.
Geriatrics aims to help elderly individuals who have difficulties in areas such as chronic diseases (heart, vascular, circulatory, kidney, liver problems, diabetes, cancer, etc.), problems with cognitive skills (dementia, etc.), problems with motor skills (such as physical injuries), oral and dental problems, gastrointestinal problems (constipation, urinary tract problems), mental problems (depression, anxiety disorder, etc.), malnutrition, and to provide interventions to increase their quality of life.
In addition to the physical diseases that occur with old age, the most common problem is dementia, in other words, memory loss.
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What Causes Dementia?
The neurons, which are nerve cells in the brain, are at their maximum level when a person is born. The number of nerve cells decreases day by day. With new learning, new connections are established between neurons; these connections are called synapses. All experiences such as language skills, speaking, walking, using a computer, eating, and learning to read and write are all achieved through repeated learning. With repetition, the synapse (the connection established between neurons) becomes stronger. With age, information that is not repeated or encountered again is forgotten; in other words, the connection established between nerve cells in the brain weakens. This is called synaptic pruning. As we age, synaptic pruning in the brain accelerates and unused connections are lost.
The condition called dementia is actually caused by pruning in the brain. The individual first has difficulty learning new information. They forget current events, then memories from the more distant past are lost. After a while, serious speech deterioration is observed, and finally, the individual becomes unable to perform even the simplest daily tasks.
How Is Dementia Detected?
The most common type of dementia today is Alzheimer’s type dementia. However, there are different types of dementia depending on the location in the brain. While some patients experience memory loss for the recent past, some patients may have impaired visual-spatial skills and may not remember the way home. Lack of emotion (apathy), indifference to events, confusion, exaggerated emotion, etc. may be observed.
Dementia, which occurs in old age, is progressive. Therefore, early detection can slow down the course of the disease and increase the patient’s quality of life. In addition to brain imaging studies, various tests and assessment inventories used in the clinic provide information about the location and severity of dementia in the brain .
Depending on the symptoms, interventions are made to support the patient’s functionality through various exercises, recommendations for the patient’s relatives, and medical treatment.
Elderly people who exhibit depressive symptoms or memory loss are not inclined to go to the doctor. People in their immediate circle, on the other hand, do not see them as patients but as elderly people, and therefore do not take them to the doctor until their condition becomes serious. If the elderly are to be useful in society, their general medical care should be given importance as well as meeting their social needs. This assistance may take the form of day care, short-term clinical care, or bimonthly clinical care.
