IPOH: The number of dementia patients in the country is expected to reach 560,000 people in 2030.
Dementia Society Perak chairman Professor Dr E. Esther Gunaseli said the government must be ready for this eventuality.
"In 2015, we had 126,000 dementia patients and in 2020, we had 269,000 patients. By 2030, we are expected to have 560,000 patients.
"The government should know that the ageing population is increasing, and the disease is well-connected with old people.
"The government and hospitals should address this problem and social welfare departments have to look out for people in need of assistance," she told reporters today.
Dr Esther said dementia is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, intellect and cognitive skills, and eventually the ability to carry out simple tasks.
She was speaking at the launch of the BebeLEC Day Centre, a new daycare centre that offers cognitive rehabilitation for people with dementia.
Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim opened the centre in Jalan Lang, Padang Tembak here. It is known as Malaysia's first dementia therapeutic garden and indoor virtual forest cognitive stimulation room.
At the event, Tuanku Zara also launched 'Is Forgetfulness Normal?', a handbook written by Dr Esther on forgetfulness and the consequences of ignoring it.
The building was completed and the keys were handed over on Sept 25, 2019, but it only became operational on July 20 last year due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
Also present were Deputy Education Minister Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and Perak Dementia Society vice chairman Dr Sumeeta Dhanoa.
Dr Esther said in the early stages, most people may not typically exhibit enough signs or symptoms for a dementia diagnosis to be made.
"However, it is not normal when you are continuously making poor judgments and decisions, having problems settling monthly bills, losing track of the date and time as well as continuously misplacing things and having trouble finding them," she said.
Dr Esther added that it was essential to know that dementia could cause noticeable mood swings and changes in behaviour. As the disease progresses, the activities a person is physically able to do would also change.
"The sooner the person gets diagnosed, the better prepared he or she will be to face the illness," she said.