Quality of Life of Patients with early Onset Dementia in Nigeria

Abstract

Dementia is a major cause of disability and mortality among the elderly, it becomes early onset of dementia, when it occurs before the age of 60 years. It is the loss of cognitive abilities, particularly the loss of memory; it appears to be one of the most dreaded conditions of old age. Around 5% of the population aged 65 and above is affected by dementia, and its prevalence rises with the rate nearly doubling every 5 years. The study used the key informant interview research tool to achieve its aim and objectives, thereby collecting data to answer its research questions. Purposive sampling was used, while ethnographic summary was used to analyse the data. The results of the study showed that the quality of patients with early onset of dementia is generally poor, in that the illness brings about the crippling of finance, loss of memory and independence, loss of position in the society. The study recommends detecting factors that can prevent or postpone the disease, and educating the public on early onset of dementia (OED). Interventions that could delay early onset of dementia would have a major positive public health impact and the prospect of dementia prevention may also reduce some of the common fears and anxieties of becoming older.