The participants of the conference «Joining Forces: sharing new practices in dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease» discussed ways to prevent cognitive age-related disorders, the search for effective drugs, as well as new methods to combat dementia. The event was held at Expoforum as part of the XVII International Forum «The Senior Generation», organized by the Interregional Public Organization for Social Support and Protection of Citizens «Hesed Abraham Jewish Charitable Center».

 

Due to the increase in life expectancy, the number of people suffering from acquired dementia is also growing. According to WHO, by 2050, the number of people over the age of 65 will double and reach 2.1 billion people. As early as 2023, there were more than 55 million people suffering from dementia worldwide, and it is projected that by 2050 the number of people with a confirmed diagnosis will reach 139 million.

«With the development of medicine, science and technology, people are living longer, but these same factors also affect the increase in the proportion of the elderly population», said Inna Semikina, Deputy Director of Hesed Abraham Charity Center. «It is expected that the number of dementia patients will continue to increase every year. At the same time, Alzheimer’s disease still cannot be cured: on average, about eight years pass from the moment of diagnosis to the death of a person».

Modern medicine is getting better at treating many diseases, but there are no treatment options for some age-related problems. This is exactly what Alzheimer’s disease is, a disease characterized by the destruction of neurons in the central nervous system. Some mutations cause the disease early enough: the first symptoms may appear as early as 50–55 years. One of the most striking manifestations of the disease is dementia (a violation of the functions of the central nervous system and the brain, leading to imbecility). The disease gradually deprives a person of memory and a sense of identity, destroying the life of the patient and his or her loved ones. How, if not cure, then at least compensate for severe symptoms and make life easier for the patient and his loved ones? These and other issues were discussed by the participants of the conference «Joining Forces: sharing new practices in dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease».

According to Yulia Beltseva, Head of the Department of Geriatric Psychiatry of the Bekhterev National Research Medical Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the use of cognitive methods is best suited to alleviate the condition of patients and prevent the disease: training (improving memory and attention), rehabilitation (adaptation to cognitive deficits) and stimulation (organizing beneficial brain activity).

Digital solutions play an important role in the implementation of these methods: the latest computer programs for training brain functions, special mobile applications, mnemogames, and the use of virtual reality. They usually demonstrate high patient engagement and are well accepted and tolerated by them. Today, technologies are successfully integrated into the natural human environment, increasing safety and security. People with dementia can successfully use mobile devices, tablets, and computers.

The technology, combined with headphones, is able to support the patient’s daily actions, track his or her position in space, and remind him or her, for example, to buy bread or visit a doctor.

«There are more advanced systems that include motion sensors that scan the surrounding space and can help a person get dressed according to the weather or remind them where their belongings are», Yulia Beltseva clarified. «The voice assistant tells you how to get from point A to point B, and continuously fixes the geolocation position».

An important development is the safety button, which helps the medical service or caregiver determine the exact coordinates of the lost person. Mobile devices monitor your health and remind you to take your medications. And pet robots become friends for lonely dementia patients, with whom they can communicate and whom they can take care of.

According to Maria Vasilyeva, a methodologist at the Hesed Abraham Charity Center for Knowledge on Dementia, special methodological material similar to that used as a developmental aid for children can also be successfully applied in adults suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. In particular, the «Suitcase for classes with dementia patients», which includes massage balls, memory albums and smart puzzles, has already proven to be a good help for both the prevention and treatment of impaired cognitive functions in the elderly.