Kochi: As part of ensuring comprehensive treatment for dementia patients, Aster Medcity Neuroscience Department will start the Memory and Cognitive Disorders Clinic. Uma Thomas, MLA, will inaugurate the clinic on July 16.

The number of people suffering from dementia are on the rise and it is as common as cancer. It is very difficult to take care of patients with Alzheimer’s, which is part of dementia. 

As the first step of the treatment, the doctors have to confirm whether the patient is suffering from treatable dementia. If it can be treated the service neurologist, neuropsychologist, and psychiatrist are utilised. Apart from ensuring comprehensive treatment for the patient, the relatives of the dementia patient and those who care for them have a big role to play, said Dr Mathew Abraham.

A lot of patience, empathy, and social support are needed for the treatment of a dementia patient. As most of the dementias are incurable there should be proper awareness on how to handle these patients, said Neuropsychologist Dr Sandhya added.