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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
The National Alzheimer’s and Memory Services Helpline (RAHA), launched on June 15 to provide support and care for the elderly in Qatar, has become much popular in the country in a short period of time.
The helpline has attended to more than 300 calls since its launch. It provides information about brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, and helps in the evaluation of memory concerns, while supporting people in managing the condition.
‘RAHA’, meaning ‘comfort’ in Arabic, aims at providing confidential care for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, and supporting their families. This is the only dedicated helpline for this condition in the country.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Senior Consultant Geriatric Psychiatrist Dr Mani Chandran said the helpline (40262222) service is available between 8am and 3pm from Sunday to Thursday. “We have a dedicated multi-disciplinary team, which includes specialist dementia nurses, geriatrician, geriatric psychiatrist and psychologist. This is a service which provides compassionate and confidential care for the patients and their families.”
Dr Chandran said that most dementia patients are not aware of their condition, and so it is their family members who call the helpline. “At very early stages, the individuals are concerned about their memory and do call, but predominantly the calls are from their family members, who notice the symptoms in their dear ones.”
According to a UN report published in 2017, there are about 4,400 people over the age of 60 years having dementia in Qatar, he said. With age being the biggest risk factor for this condition and no cure in sight, the number is set to grow. The Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) estimates that currently there are about 50 million people in the world living with dementia.”
According to Dr Chandran, Qatar is in the process of setting up the Qatar National Dementia Registry, which will provide accurate data about the cases in the country.
In November 2018, Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari launched the Qatar National Dementia Plan (QNDP). It was developed by team led by Dr Hanadi Khamis Al Hamad, national lead for the Healthy Ageing under the Ministry of Public Health and focal lead for Global Dementia Observatory of World Health Organization (WHO), in cooperation with a number of stakeholders, including HMC, the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and social organisations.
“Qatar is the first Arab country to develop a dementia plan. The government recognises the huge impact dementia can have in the society and country as a whole,” said Dr Chandran.
According to him, since the launch of the plan, work is continuing in multiple areas to enhance dementia care, including risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment and care. The most integral part of QNDP is carer support and this is where RAHA comes in, providing the most essential service in dementia care, said Dr Chandran.
He said that one can reduce the risk of dementia by leading a healthy lifestyle such as being physically active, avoiding smoking and addressing medical comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension with the help of his primary care physician. The mantra is “what is good for heart remains good for brain”, he said.
Dr Chandran explained that dementia is a collective name given to progressive brain syndrome. “This may start with people having difficulty to remember recent events and to think and communicate. Later, as the condition progresses, they find it difficult to remember things of the past; it affects their emotions and cause behavioural symptoms. As the condition progresses, it leads to the person becoming dependent on others for their daily needs. There are different diseases that lead to dementia and the most common one is the Alzheimer’s Disease. About 50 to 60 percent cases of dementia are due to Alzheimer’s Disease.”
“Worldwide, dementia is considered the leading cause of disability and dependency for the elderly. Its impact is huge, not only for the individual who is going through the condition, but for the family, society and the country as whole. It also has much wider social and economic impact. With QNDP under way, we endeavour to meeting this challenge in the best possible way,” Dr Chandran added.
DOHA
The National Alzheimer’s and Memory Services Helpline (RAHA), launched on June 15 to provide support and care for the elderly in Qatar, has become much popular in the country in a short period of time.
The helpline has attended to more than 300 calls since its launch. It provides information about brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, and helps in the evaluation of memory concerns, while supporting people in managing the condition.
‘RAHA’, meaning ‘comfort’ in Arabic, aims at providing confidential care for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, and supporting their families. This is the only dedicated helpline for this condition in the country.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) Senior Consultant Geriatric Psychiatrist Dr Mani Chandran said the helpline (40262222) service is available between 8am and 3pm from Sunday to Thursday. “We have a dedicated multi-disciplinary team, which includes specialist dementia nurses, geriatrician, geriatric psychiatrist and psychologist. This is a service which provides compassionate and confidential care for the patients and their families.”
Dr Chandran said that most dementia patients are not aware of their condition, and so it is their family members who call the helpline. “At very early stages, the individuals are concerned about their memory and do call, but predominantly the calls are from their family members, who notice the symptoms in their dear ones.”
According to a UN report published in 2017, there are about 4,400 people over the age of 60 years having dementia in Qatar, he said. With age being the biggest risk factor for this condition and no cure in sight, the number is set to grow. The Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) estimates that currently there are about 50 million people in the world living with dementia.”
According to Dr Chandran, Qatar is in the process of setting up the Qatar National Dementia Registry, which will provide accurate data about the cases in the country.
In November 2018, Minister of Public Health HE Dr Hanan Mohamed Al Kuwari launched the Qatar National Dementia Plan (QNDP). It was developed by team led by Dr Hanadi Khamis Al Hamad, national lead for the Healthy Ageing under the Ministry of Public Health and focal lead for Global Dementia Observatory of World Health Organization (WHO), in cooperation with a number of stakeholders, including HMC, the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) and social organisations.
“Qatar is the first Arab country to develop a dementia plan. The government recognises the huge impact dementia can have in the society and country as a whole,” said Dr Chandran.
According to him, since the launch of the plan, work is continuing in multiple areas to enhance dementia care, including risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment and care. The most integral part of QNDP is carer support and this is where RAHA comes in, providing the most essential service in dementia care, said Dr Chandran.
He said that one can reduce the risk of dementia by leading a healthy lifestyle such as being physically active, avoiding smoking and addressing medical comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension with the help of his primary care physician. The mantra is “what is good for heart remains good for brain”, he said.
Dr Chandran explained that dementia is a collective name given to progressive brain syndrome. “This may start with people having difficulty to remember recent events and to think and communicate. Later, as the condition progresses, they find it difficult to remember things of the past; it affects their emotions and cause behavioural symptoms. As the condition progresses, it leads to the person becoming dependent on others for their daily needs. There are different diseases that lead to dementia and the most common one is the Alzheimer’s Disease. About 50 to 60 percent cases of dementia are due to Alzheimer’s Disease.”
“Worldwide, dementia is considered the leading cause of disability and dependency for the elderly. Its impact is huge, not only for the individual who is going through the condition, but for the family, society and the country as whole. It also has much wider social and economic impact. With QNDP under way, we endeavour to meeting this challenge in the best possible way,” Dr Chandran added.
