Every week, HEADlines brings you the latest news, stories and commentaries in education and healthcare. This week, get insights on the latest developments in healthcare. |
|
When Dementia meets COVID-19
Staying home; washing hands; wearing a mask; keeping a safe distance from others - these are the new realities that the majority of people have gotten used to. But for dementia patients and their caregivers, these seemingly simple measures can be too much to bear.
Not only is it challenging for dementia patients to remember new instructions, the loss of interaction wih other people also takes a toll on their mental health. To help caregivers and patients better cope, groups like the Alzheimer's Disease Association has put together resources offering advice and support during this period.
What's worrying though, is the direct and indirect damages that the COVID-19 pandemic can cause to the aging brain. The Scientific American warns that 'a tsunami of dementia could be on the way.' Loss of oxygen to the brain due to COVID-19, social isolation and loneliness from lockdowns are just some examples of how it can worsen or increase the risk of dementia in older adults.
Unless research, health care and public health entities work together to support the elderly, we could face a new crisis when this pandemic is over. It is indeed more crucial than ever, that the world works together to address dementia and not push it to the sidelines. |
|
Healthcare in the Spotlight |
|
The way the virus takes over human cells could explain why the infection is devastating for certain groups, and also how it could be potentially treated. |
|
|
|
The coronavirus is manifesting differently in patients from the Northeast region of China, raising concerns that it may be mutating. |
|
|
|
Many Chinese are using TCM to fight off the coronavirus, but the ancient cure still faces a test of international acceptance. |
|
|
|
What are the risks of everyday activities like dining out, going to the gym and getting a haircut? Read on for an expert's perspective. |
|
|
|
Rising temperatures have an unexpected consequence - the proliferation of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes that typically do not thrive in Japanese climate. |
|
|
|
Pollution is a dominant influence on our mortality, yet it is very much less often reflected in our mortality data. |
|
|
|
The World Bank provides four reasons the battle against infectious diseases is also about the fight against climate change. |
|
|
|
That's all for the week! |
|
Copyright © The HEAD Foundation Note: Credit to the rightful owners for photos and content used. Clicking the photos and embedded links will direct you to their source.
You're receiving this email because you have previously signed up for this newsletter and/or participated in The HEAD Foundation's events. |
|
|
