Is this dementia?

My father who is in his 70s has of late been mixing things up so much so that he forgets the names of close relatives. Although he is not physically sick, his behaviour has been causing a lot of concern in the family. My sister who is a Nurse thinks he has Dementia and that nothing can be done for him. Kindly let me know if this is true?

Salamatu (by SMS)

Diagnosing Dementia can be very challenging. While it is common for some elderly people to have occasional memory loss and confusion, it is not all of them that are due to Dementia. To diagnose the cause of the dementia,  a doctor must recognise the pattern of the loss of skills and function and determine what a person is still able to do. The doctor will review your father’s medical history and symptoms and conduct a physical examination. No single test can diagnose dementia, so doctors are likely to run a number of tests that can help pinpoint the problem. While it is true that Dementia cannot be cured, the ailment can be well managed with medications and various therapies.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…

Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train

The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report…