Expert advises eating your leafy greens to stave off dementia.

 Expert advises eating green vegetables to avoid dementia.

"We must begin taking care of ourselves in our late 30s to build cognitive reserves and guard against dementia," says Manjari Tripathi, a leading Alzheimer's expert and neurology professor at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi, highlighting the challenges posed by the disease, which is progressively spreading.

A dementia crisis is approaching, with one in every eight Indians suffering from cognitive deterioration by 2021, up from one in every 25 in 1990. Images of PLWDs struggling to find their way, suffering from their diseases, and depicted as lone beings seem to imply a pathetic, sensationalist, or patronising view of dementia. Instead of viewing such photos negatively, ADFM thinks they can be used to spark a conversation about feelings like shame, bewilderment, and hopelessness, which are real and valid experiences for many PLWDs and caregivers.It would also be more constructive to discuss what can be done to aid people with their symptoms and sentiments, as well as how society can help.

It would be empowering to include photographs of people with disabilities smiling, participating in social activities, and communicating with family members, medical professionals, or caregivers. This demonstrates that dementia is not all doom and gloom. PLWDs' well-being and dignity can be protected through familial, social, and medical assistance.Only two of the 432 photographs we examined revealed younger PLWDs. This may not accurately reflect the rise in younger-onset dementia among people aged 65 and under. ADFM agrees that additional photos of younger PLWDs, volunteers, and caregivers are needed to educate the public as dementia cases continue to climb.

Stock photos are used to show dementia and PLWDs in a realistic and anonymous manner. Some, on the other hand, serve as overgeneralized illustrations that may not accurately mirror the experiences of real individuals. The ubiquitous head-clutching image, for example, has been widely utilised to depict everything from migraines, negative emotions (regret, sorrow, disappointment, and grief), mental illness or suffering, to memory loss in dementia. Personal imagery are favoured to convey a more authentic picture of dementia that is convincing, believable, and founded in people's lived experiences. However, their secrecy and privacy must also be taken into account.

To conclude, and in honour of World Alzheimer's Month in September, we recommend using empowering and advocating images to send the message that while there is no cure for dementia, the symptoms can be better managed and the quality of life of PLWDs and caregivers can be improved the earlier it is diagnosed, treated, and with adequate support.

Source Content:

• https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/delhi/eat-green-veggies-to-keep-dementia-away-says-expert-439798
• https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2022/10/838920/dementia-not-all-doom-and-gloom