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Advances In Care Areamedicalcenters shareupdates to keep you and yourshealthy WRITTEN BY CINDY SCHWEICH HANDLER
DR . MANISHA PARULEKAR
HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH – HACKENSACK UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER MORE SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
The risk of developing dementia increases after age 65 , experts say — aparticular source of concern to health officials in Bergen , which has ahigh percentage of people 60 and older . “ There are about 20,000 in the community with this diagnosis now , and we ’ re going to see an increasing number based on the demographics ,” says Dr . Manisha Parulekar , director of the division of geriatrics and co-director of the Center for Memory Loss at Hackensack University Medical Center . Ageriatrician by training , Parulekar has often worked with the nonprofit Act Now Foundation Dementia Resource Center toidentify and treat patients with specific needs .
In late April , the foundation and the center gained another resource in the effort “ to keep patients with dementia and families as safe and independent as possible through various resources ,” says Parulekar . Bergen County , inpartnership with the center , launched the Dementia Friendly Initiative , with Parulekar , who was invited to speak at the initiative ’ s kickoff , serving onits action committee .“ The speakers and commissioners talked about how dementia affects our community , and care supporters presented their scenarios ,” she says .
The initiative ’ s goal is to work with communities to ensure they are inclusive to those living with dementia , to reduce stigmatizing them , and to increase awareness of the disease within the community , including among first responders and police officers so they can identify those who need resources .
Forexample , says Parulekar , people can manage their lifestyles in their 40s and 50s to minimize the risk of suffering from dementia later — byreducing their cholesterol and managing their hypertension , diabetes , and depression and anxiety . Keeping ahealthy diet and exercising the mind and body are also key . “ Pick something to do that you enjoy , and you ’ ll be more likely to do it the rest of your life ,” she says . This could involve any activity that forces you to think and not do things by rote , says Parulekar .“ Go to adifferent grocery store ,” she suggests .“ Otherwise , you know what aisles to go to !”
JRK / HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH HUMC
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