Today, an estimated one in 10 people aged 60 years or older in the Philippines is at risk of having dementia.
This is according to the results of the Marikina Memory and Aging Project (MMAP), the first population-based study on aging and dementia among Filipino adults aged 60 years and over, which was conducted from (2015) 2011 to 2022.
As the average life expectancy in the Philippines has been slightly increasing over a decade (71.79 years in 2021 from 71.15 in 2012), experts project that new dementia cases by 2050 could reach 2.52M or nearly 100,000 diagnosed annually.
Despite the increasing prevalence of dementia, awareness and understanding remain limited. Low awareness leads to late or missed diagnoses in all age ranges.
Lack of knowledge on dementia could spark fear and anxiety, which often breeds misconceptions. This inspired Sun Life Grepa, a major life insurance provider in the country, to organize a free webinar on “Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Facts and Myths” featuring Dr. Jacqueline Dominguez, head of the St. Luke’s Memory Center and member of the Dementia Society of the Philippines.
In the two-hour webinar, Dr. Dominguez gave expert medical advice and dispelled these common misconceptions on dementia:
1. Dementia is a normal part of aging.
While this is what most people believe, this is not simply true.
Dr. Dominguez said dementia is an umbrella term for diseases that affect the memory, thinking, and behavior and typically gets worse over time. “As we grow old, the risk of getting dementia increases but it doesn’t happen to everyone,” she clarified. “Based on the MMAP, ninety percent of aging adults will age happily with a relatively normal brain.”
2. Memory loss always signifies dementia.
Memory loss is one of the early warning signs of dementia, but it does not necessarily mean the start of the condition, Dr. Dominguez explained.
It’s normal to forget things once in a while, but when it starts interfering with one’s everyday life, this could be the start of Dementia. This can include problems with remembering, judgment, or reasoning.
She explained that there are three stages of dementia:
- Mild dementia: one can function independently, has occasional forgetfulness, confusion, and lapses in judgment.
- Moderate dementia: one requires assistance in daily activities as there is greater extent of memory loss.
- Severe dementia: one requires round-the-clock care, has loss of mobility and difficulty in performing functions such as swallowing.
3. Alzheimer’s Disease is different from dementia.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia, accounting for around 60% of all dementia cases. Other types of dementia include frontotemporal dementia (FTD), vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease is caused by the buildup of plaques and tangles in the brain which could induce inflammation and eventually killing them.
4. Dementia is not preventable.
While aging is often seen as a culprit for having dementia, Dr. Dominguez said there are other factors that can either reduce the risk of having certain types of dementia or delay its onset. These include treating vascular risks like LDL (bad cholesterol), diabetes, hypertension, depression, preventing traumatic brain injury, avoiding physical inactivity, managing obesity, and excessive alcohol intake. In later life, engaging in dance, regular physical exercise, and hobbies help prevent MCI converting to Dementia by improving memory, reducing social isolation, and curing depression, she added.
In addition, she said advancements in science and technology now make it possible for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The buildup of abnormal amyloid protein called Amyloid in the brain, which causes Alzheimer’s, can be measured in many ways, including Amyloid PET-CT scans and spinal fluid biomarker tests. “Brain scanning can lead to early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and can lead to early treatment,” the medical expert added.
5. Memory enhancers can help cure dementia.
While there is nothing wrong with taking memory enhancers, Dr. Dominguez said, “there is no single pill approved by the Food and Drug Administration that can cure or prevent dementia.” Some medications do help to modulate the factors that contribute to brain health.
She shared some tips to help keep one’s brain in top shape:
- Get enough sleep. Inadequate sleep has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Studies suggest sleeping less than 5 hours can be dangerous for the brain. “Poor sleep is bad for the brain,” Dr. Dominguez emphasized.
- Exercise regularly, as this reduces the risk of developing dementia.
- Avoid infection (poor diet, misdiagnosis, exposure to viruses or bacteria,) and other factors that cause systemic inflammation.
- Be happy. “A sad brain is a forgetful brain,” Dr. Dominguez said. Depressive symptoms can lead impaired memory.
“Our brain when we grow old is the sum of how we took care of it throughout our lifetime,” said Dr. Dominguez. “So, mind your brain.”
Memories are priceless and facing the challenge of memory-related illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease could be worse and overwhelming, especially when one is caught unprepared. Dementia is a very dreadful disease because it is very silent.
This is why Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. (Sun Life Grepa), a major life insurance provider in the country, offers products that provide coverage for Alzheimer’s disease:
Sun Grepa Senior Care, a product especially designed for those belonging in their golden years, provides protection against 17 of the most common advanced-age critical diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease*.
Sun Grepa Fit and Well, a comprehensive critical illness and health protection plan that provides financial benefits for more than 100 critical conditions, including moderate and late-stage Alzheimer’s disease*.
Recognizing that the main barrier to diagnosis and treatment of dementia is often the high cost, these products are designed to provide individuals and families with peace of mind and practical support.
As Sun Life Grepa President Richard S. Lim shared, “Health insurance isn’t just about coverage – it’s about peace of mind, dignity and security during life’s most challenging moments. It empowers families to face the future with confidence, knowing they have the protection they need when it matters most.”
For inquiries on Sun Life Grepa, visit www.sunlifegrepa.com, email wecare@sunlifegrepa.com or visit an RCBC branch near you.
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https://www.statista.com/statistics/804453/life-expectancy-at-birth-in-the-asean-countries
*Coverage for Alzheimer’s Disease up to 85 years old only
