You're only as old as you think you are, doctor says

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 04/19/2006 10:19 AM  |  Life

Duncan Graham, Contributor, Malang, East Java

If you're planning a long life remember this: It's quality, not quantity, that counts.

""For healthy aging keep your body fit and mind active,"" advised Singaporean psychologist Dr Ng Li-Ling from Changi General Hospital. ""Also, avoid head injury by wearing protection on motorcycles and bikes and while playing sport.

""On current projections the number of people who will get Alzheimer's disease will double in the next 25 years, with 4.6 million new cases every year.

""Two-thirds of the cases will be in developing countries like Indonesia. The rate of diagnosis is likely to be 300 per cent greater in Asian countries than the West.

""This disease is not linked to affluence and at the moment it's untreatable. But research does show that educated people who stay mentally alert are at less risk.

""The other factor is getting early medical advice. It may not be dementia. It could be delirium and can be treated.""

Alzheimer's disease was first diagnosed 100 years ago. It's a progressive dementia (loss of brain power) that attacks the structure and chemistry of the brain.

Sufferers find it increasingly hard to remember things and people, to communicate and reason. The stress on families can be overwhelming.

There's no single gene for the disease and the cause is unknown, though age, lifestyle and head injuries are factors. Almost 25 million people worldwide have the disease. The number in Indonesia is not known.

Dr Ng, vice president of the Alzheimer's Association in Singapore has been at Lawang mental hospital, Malang, East Java, to discuss issues in psycho geriatrics with staff and professionals from other towns in East Java.

Together with another psychologist, Dr Donald Yeo, medical social worker Ms Yeo Seok Tin and occupational therapist Ms Koh Hwan Jing, the team ran a week of workshops supported by the Singapore International Foundation (SIF).

This is a not-for-profit organization operating since 1991 that sends volunteers around the world to help developing nations.

Other SIF projects in East Java include training trainers in occupational dermatology in Malang, helping with information technology in Surabaya and neonatal intensive care in Madiun.

Team leader Dr Ng stressed that the Singaporeans' experiences wouldn't necessarily translate well into the Indonesian situation. Everything had to be considered and adapted to suit local conditions.

Nor was it a case of outside experts coming in with wise words.

""When I was a young student I got lots of help from many people,"" she said. ""I volunteered for this assignment because I want to share my knowledge with others. We're also here to learn how Indonesia is handling mental health.""

Her colleague Dr Yeo said there were many myths about aging brains. These included the adage ""you can't treat an old dog new tricks"", and that new brain cells can't be created.

""There's new and growing evidence that adult brains are capable of growing neurons (nerve cells and their appendages),"" he said.

""New experiences create new connections between neurons. There's more transfer of information between the hemispheres of the brain in elderly people. The integration of thought processes increases in the brains of active aging people.""

Tests for dementia that might work in Singapore could fail in East Java because of different cultural values, he said.

Patients with low education may be unfamiliar with testing procedures or be confused by the examiner's language.

Researchers in Singapore had often found more accurate information on a patient's behavior from the family's maid because embarrassed relatives wanted to downplay the problems.

Commented Dr Ng: ""There's still a stigma associated with mental disease and the community needs accurate information. Some countries are launching a Mind Your Brain public health campaign to lift awareness. I think that's great.

""One day we'll find a cure and I'll have no work. I'd love to be out of a job!

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.