Dementia data gap poses challenge for care

Barbados needs more definitive figures on the number of people living with dementia to ensure they can receive appropriate support and care, the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association has said.

Public Relations Officer Cyril Burke said the association is working towards improving information on dementia patients as part of its medium- to long-term goals.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the World Alzheimer’s Month Health and Wellness Fair on Saturday at the Main Guard Building, Garrison, Burke said having more accurate data could help the association and other agencies better respond to the needs of people with dementia, particularly during emergencies.

“We don’t have definitive figures of the amount of people in Barbados with dementia. That is challenging for us and that is something that we are trying to see if you can get around so that we can know exactly where they are for a number of different reasons,” he said.

“We’ll be able to help them better, and then in case of emergency…so if something happens, they can [get] special care. So that is what we are working on in the medium to long term to get more definitive figures on the number of people who have dementia.”

Burke said the public has been receptive to activities held during World Alzheimer’s Month, noting that many people are affected by dementia, ranging from early onset to more advanced stages.

With World Alzheimer’s Day observed on September 21, the health and wellness fair provided members of the public with access to a range of services and information.

These included blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checks, body mass index assessments, cognitive screening and free PSA testing. Attendees could also receive information on dementia, its risks and prevention, as well as medical and legal advice.

Burke spoke of the importance of supporting caregivers, who he said carry significant stress while caring for someone with dementia.

He urged people to pay attention to changes in memory and behaviour, stressing that dementia involves more than the occasional experience of forgetting where an item has been placed.

He said repeated behaviour and difficulties with familiar everyday tasks could be early warning signs.

“It is when you [keep repeating] yourself. They tell you the same thing six or eight times. This is one of the early signs,” he said.

“A person could forget how to brush their teeth, how to put the belt in the pants…those kind of things. You might be making a cup of tea and you forget to put the tea bag in the cup. You forget if you’re a mom or a dad, you could forget your spouse’s name, mix up your children.”