Dementia Treatment in Pune

Dementia comes to the surface when the brain's neurons, i.e. nerve cells, stop working, lose connections with other brain cells, or die. With age, everybody loses some neurons, but in people with dementia, this process is faster.

Dementia can also happen when the blood flow to the brain is blocked, as this deprives the brain of oxygen and nutrients, without which the brain cells die. Another reason can be an injury to the brain.

It is difficult to diagnose dementia as it is caused by many diseases and conditions.
However, to reach a confirmed diagnosis, our examiner at Calida Rehab, a dementia care centre in Pune, will need to know:

• About your symptoms
• Your medical history
• About current medications
• Your family's medical history

Some of the tests that confirm the diagnosis are as follows:

1. Laboratory Tests:

Laboratory tests help eliminate other diseases or conditions like infection, inflammation, underactive thyroid, and vitamin deficiency (especially B12) so that the doctor can decide his/her course of action.
Evaluations like autoimmune conditions and neurodegenerative diseases are also done with the help of cerebrospinal fluid if needed.

2. Imaging Tests:

The following imaging tests of the brain need to be done to make appropriate medical decisions.

• Computed Tomography (CT) & Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): These tests are performed to check for evidence of stroke, bleeding, tumors, and fluid in the patient's brain.
• Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) scan: A special test that helps understand the functioning of the brain and the decline in its cognition. This is done by studying the pattern of absorption of a type of glucose by the brain tissue.

3. Neurocognitive Testing:

Written and computerized tests to evaluate mental abilities are used by a healthcare provider at Calida Rehab, a dementia care hospital in Pune. This is known as neurocognitive testing and tests various parameters like:

• Problem-solving
• Judgment
• Memory
• Planning
• Reasoning, etc

4. Psychiatric Evaluation:

A mental health professional also checks for signs of other conditions like depression, mood changes, or others that might cause similar symptoms.

Most forms of dementia don't have any cure, but there are treatments to manage the symptoms.

1. Medication:

Some of the medications that help manage dementia are as follows:

• Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept®), rivastigmine (Exelon®), and galantamine (Razadyne®)
• NMDA receptor antagonist memantine (Namenda®)
• Anti-amyloid antibody aducanumab (Aduhelm®)

However, it is in the best interest of all to let doctors take a call about which medicines to take for managing dementia.

2. Therapies:

At one of the best dementia care homes in Pune, Calida Rehab, we employ certain therapies to help patients cope with the symptoms of dementia. Some of these have been mentioned below:

• Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST): CST is a structured program that helps improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. Word games, puzzles, and discussions are some of the exercises that need to be done to engage the brain and promote cognitive function.
• Reminiscence therapy (RT): RT is a group-based therapy in which patients are asked to recall memories of their lives. This helps patients recall their skills and achievements, taking their focus off dementia. For example, a person is shown an old photo or a vintage car, after which they may be asked if they remember when the photo was taken or if they knew anyone who had a car like that. This transports them to the time of their lives when they were healthy, motivating them to reconnect with their past self.
• Occupational Therapy: People with dementia are taught to complete activities or tasks by knowing and easing activities, thus allowing the patients to engage with them more; making the environment stress-free, removing distractions; and increasing task participation by working with their caregivers.
• Art Therapy: Art therapy involves engaging in activities that the patient enjoys, like dancing, music, painting, and others. This helps regulate emotions and effectively release and showcase them. Also, it helps patients focus on what they can still do and imparts happiness while doing it.

Calida Rehab offers dementia treatment in Pune by employing all these therapies and administering appropriate medication to help patients with dementia.