MENTAL
RETARDATION AND DEMENTIA
Y.
Barak
Abarbanel
MHC and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv
University , Israel
Aging of our
population is predicted to result in continuous and
dramatic increase
in rates of dementia reaching 40% of the elderly by
suffering from
mental retardation (MR) has occurred since the late
1980s. Aging is the
most profound risk factor for dementia. Thu,
persons suffering
from MR who are now reaching old-age more
frequently are in
fact becoming a group at extreme risk for developing
dementia. The
combination of aging with lack of protective factors due
to minimal formal
education and unhealthy life-style because of
improper dietary care,
little cognitive engagement and shortage of
physical exercise
crystallize into worrisome rates of dementia amongst
all those who
suffer from MR. In this fragile population it is imperative
that dementia be
diagnosed using structured formal algorithms. It is
necessary to
emphasize and implement the use of structured rating
scales amongst
staff treating MR. Following a comprehensive
diagnostic workup
one should recommend approved "anti-dementia"
medications.
However, care need be taken in pharmacological
treatment of those
suffering from MR as no studies to date have
evaluated cognitive
enhancers in those suffering from MR. Finally, as
health care
professionals we must create a movement for the
prevention of
dementia amongst those suffering from MR. Staff
working with MR
must be trained and need acquire skills for
prevention
strategies. Service providers for the elderly suffering from
MR should found
specific diagnostic and treatment modalities in order
to stem the tide of
dementia.
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