Risk of Dementia among the Elderly in a Rural Community: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: India is one of the countries in demographic transition where the elderly population is increasing. Dementia effects memory, thinking, behavior and ability to perform daily activities. It has physical, psychological, social and economic impact not only on people with dementia but also on their care givers and family members. Awareness must be raised to reinforce dementia as a public health priority. Objectives: 1.To assess the risk of dementia among Geriatric people using Picture Memory Impaired Screening (PMIS) tool 2. To determine the factors associated with the risk of dementia. Methods: A community based cross sectional study with study duration of 8 months among the geriatric people living in a rural area. A Non Probability Sampling was done and 87 elderly were subjected to picture memory impaired screening (PMIS) test which is a screening tool validated for use in a low education population to identify individuals at risk of dementia. Results: Elderly at risk of Dementia accounted for 22%. There was no statistically significant association between dementia and age, gender, marital status & occupation. Conclusions: The present study shows that elderly people living in rural area are facing risk of Dementia. The PMIS Tool is simple and easy to administer. So, the health staff working in the rural area can be trained in using PMIS Tool.