“Ah Kong”, a six-minute short film directed by renowned local filmmaker Royston Tan, has been released for public viewing on YouTube yesterday. The highly anticipated short film was commissioned by the Health Promotion Board to educate and create awareness on the effects of dementia.
Debilitating dementia
Dementia is an illness which affects the brain, causing the brain cells to die faster rate than normal. It is not normal ageing. As a result, the mental abilities of the person with dementia declines. This leads to failing memory, deterioration of intellectual function and personality changes.
As of March this year, about 20,000 Singaporeans suffer from dementia – a prevalence rate of 5.7 per cent. Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan warns that Singapore will encounter an upswing of dementia cases as the population ages. By 2020, the number of dementia patients will more than double to about 45,000.
Signs of dementia
Dementia is not an inevitable part of the ageing process. Recognising the warning signs of dementia and knowing the preventive factors can help reduce the risk or delay the onset of dementia. These factors include staying physically and mentally active, eating healthily, quitting unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking, and being socially engaged.
The top 3 warning signs of dementia are:
1. Memory loss that affects day to day functions
2. Difficulty doing familiar tasks
3. Confusion about time and place
Some other signs of dementia include problems communicating, difficulty planning or solving problems, poor or decreased judgment, misplacing things, changes in mood or behaviour, changes in personality, and a withdrawal from work or social activities.
Get involved
Spread this link – tell your family, tell your friends.
To find out more about the film, visit http://go.hpb.sg/ahkong.
If you are currently caring for a loved one suffering from dementia, drop us a comment to share your story. We would love to hear from you.
Silver Lining Says 
Posted on December 6, 2010
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