DKSH holds My Golden Years health forum during World Alzheimer's Month

DKSH has collaborated with Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh and Wong Association Melaka and has hold a health forum based on the topic “My Golden Years”. The aim of the event was to raise awareness and challenge the stigma surrounding dementia during the World Alzheimer's Month in September.

Media release

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, September 27, 2020 – In conjunction with World Alzheimer's Month in September, DKSH Business Unit Healthcare has organized a health forum on the theme “My Golden Years”. As guest speaker Dr. Tay Hui Sian, consultant geriatrician and general physician at Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh in Melaka, raised awareness of dementia.

The World Health Organization recognizes dementia as a public health priority. Two out of three people think dementia is a normal part of aging¹. In Malaysia, about one in three people perceived people with dementia as dangerous¹. The prevalence of dementia in Malaysia is estimated at 261,00 people in 2030 and expected to increase to 590,000 people in 2050². The challenges in dealing with dementia include, among other things, a limited awareness of the condition, the existence of stigma and underutilization of services³.

Speaking at the health forum, Dr. Tay Hui Sian said: “Dementia is not a natural aging process. It is important to recognize the early signs of dementia in order to promote optimal management and ensure quality of life. We aim to do so by educating our community during the My Golden Years health forum.”

In general, people often perceive dementia as a loss of memory or of cognitive thinking. However, there are psychological effects involved as well, such as aggression, hallucination and paranoia.

On top of that, dementia is a progressive and non-reversible disease. Unlike other chronic diseases, the duties of the caregivers can be extensive and could be a strain, if the caregiver is an aged spouse of the dementia patient. Caregivers must be able to provide just as much emotional support as they do physical. “On the part of family members and caregivers, it is important to show care, love and lots of patience,” Dr Tay added.

Dr. Varun Sethi, Vice President, Healthcare, South East Asia & Vietnam, DKSH, said: “Dementia has a big impact on the lives of patients as well as that of caregivers – physically, psychologically, socially and financially. While there is no known treatment currently, we could offer much support in terms of dementia care. This collaboration with Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh, Dr. Tay Hui Sian and Wong Association Melaka is our effort to enrich people's lives by creating increased awareness of dementia and offering support for caregivers and families.”

During the My Golden Years health forum, Pantai Hospital Ayer Keroh also provided a complimentary memory test and three-part health check, comprising tests for blood pressure, blood glucose and Body Mass Index (BMI) for those aged 50 years old and above.

References:

1. World Alzheimer Report 2019
2. Thimarul H., et al. “Knowledge on Alzheimer's Disease among Public hospitals and health clinics pharmacists in the state of Selangor, Malaysia” Frontiers in Pharmacology Oct 2017
3. Alzheimer's Disease International (2014)

For further information please contact:

DKSH Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad
Ngim Siew Lee Manager, Branding & Communications Phone +60 3 7882 8883 siew.lee.ngim@dksh.com