Care providers of people diagnosed with dementia are at an increased risk for having significant physical and mental health problems, said an expert.
In a webinar on Friday, June 17, titled “Demensya sa Panahon ng Pandemya,” experts from the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) discussed the downside effects that families and health care providers can acquire while taking care of a person suffering from dementia.
In the event hosted by UP, in partnership with UPM National Institutes of Health, UP National Telehealth Center, and Philippine General Hospital, experts discussed some of the possible “negative” effects, such as heart disease, depression, stress, burnout, anxiety, loneliness, and exhaustion.
However, there are steps one could follow in order to avoid these, such as fully accepting the diagnosis especially if it is a family member, learning everything about dementia, improving emotional awareness, staying physically active, making time for fun and relaxation, and planning one’s own care.
“Kung ano ‘yung alagang binibigay mo sa taong may dementia, isabay mo na rin ‘yung sarili mo (You should simultaneously provide the care you are giving to the person with dementia to yourself),” said Evangeline B. Dela Fuente, chair of UPM Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine.
She also advised caregivers to list down all the things that make them happy or relaxed and assess which of those can be done alongside taking care of the patient.
“Studies have shown that if you devote time for fun and relaxation, it adds years to your health,” Dela Fuente added.
Meanwhile, Shelley De La Vega, Director of UPM Institutes on Aging, said that the number of old people in the Philippines is rapidly increasing.
“The older the country is, the higher the persons with dementia,” she warned.
“The community has to help out by including older persons, people with dementia in their programs and activities,” she added.
De La Vega also pointed out that a healthy heart will cause a healthy brain, which will then lessen the chance of developing dementia.
With that, she advised people to do measures in order to avoid heart problems such as eating healthy, exercising, and stopping the use of cigarettes. (Luisa Cabato)