Patients suffering from early dementia in Belgium must be able to benefit from an integrated care pathway which would improve their care and their quality of life, argues the Federal Center of Health Care Expertise (KCE) in a new study on Thursday. According to the latter, it is essential to put in place measures to promote early detection of the disease, to encourage patients’ autonomy and to offer them, where appropriate, a quality residential stay.
Dementia is a mental disorder linked to organic causes causing a progressive deterioration of intellectual faculties. It can affect memory as well as thinking skills, attention, communication, but also behavior or mood. Its most common form is Alzheimer’s disease. In Belgium, the number of people affected was 190,500 in 2019 and could reach 330,500 in 2050.
We speak of early-onset dementia when symptoms appear before the age of 65. This is rarer and represents around 4% of cases of dementia. If the latter generally first results in memory problems, early dementia first causes changes in behavior or personality. It can therefore easily be confused with psychiatric problems, thus delaying the diagnosis, sometimes by several years.
According to the KCE, patients with early-onset dementia face different problems from older people affected by this disease, particularly on a social, financial and professional level. They therefore require an adapted care pathway taking into account the specificities of this form of the disease.
The center therefore calls for the competent authorities to develop a coherent care pathway focused first on early diagnosis and multi-disciplinary support including, among other things, psychological support adapted to the patient’s age, cognitive rehabilitation and adaptation. of the living space. The center also suggests appointing a person responsible for guiding the patient and their family throughout the care process and ensuring the link between all those involved.
-In order to encourage patient autonomy, the KCE proposes to facilitate access to memory clinics as well as home services and care. It also encourages the creation of an inclusive and stimulating environment, as well as the pursuit of professional life as long as possible.
If the patient loses his or her autonomy, the KCE requires suitable rest and care homes, as well as end-of-life care planning.
Finally, the center pleads for the competent authorities to encourage research in order to improve all stages of the care pathway.
