Am I just forgetful or am I already demented? People or their relatives often ask the question too late. In order to detect dementia at an early stage, the digital dementia register and the municipal alliance Main-Wein-Garten offered dementia screening in Thüngersheim in the district of Würzburg this Thursday.
First indications of dementia by short test
Interested people were invited to check their memory performance free of charge using a short scientific test. This lasted a quarter of an hour and took place in a protected setting. Many people took up the offer. “Even before the tests started, a lot of people were queuing,” Ilona Hörath, press officer at digiDEM Bayern, told BR24.
Neurologist Peter Kolominsky-Rabas, one of the project managers at digiDEM Bayern, emphasizes that dementia screening does not replace a comprehensive medical diagnosis, but does provide initial indications as to whether further investigation is necessary: ”The earlier dementia is detected, the earlier people learn with dementia and their relatives to deal with the symptoms of the disease and the sooner treatment and support options can be initiated.”
Screening for early detection is particularly important in rural areas, he says: “Like here in Lower Franconia, where the memory clinics are often far away and there are fewer specialists, it is very important that people notice early on whether their memory is okay is or not.” There could be signs of dementia as early as 20 years before the onset, and testing is not only recommended for senior citizens.
Memory tests are free
Eight municipalities from the districts of Würzburg and Main-Spessart took part in the population screening: Erlabrunn, Himmelstadt, Leinach, Margetshöchheim, Retzstadt, Thüngersheim, Zell and Zellingen. The first mayor of Thüngersheim, Manfred Röhm, is personally concerned about dementia screening, since his wife was diagnosed with the disease twelve years ago: “I have seen that dementia and Alzheimer’s are still taboo in society.” For him, precautionary measures include raising awareness and breaking the taboo on the subject. Röhm recommends to all relatives: “Go out, inform the neighbors. Be open, there will be far more understanding than if you don’t do it.”
Diagnoses are often made very late
Around 240,000 people in Bavaria are currently suffering from dementia. By 2030, an increase to 300,000 people is expected. According to studies, 60 percent of those suffering from dementia live without a reliable diagnosis. In addition, diagnoses are often made late – with advanced symptoms. The first mass screening in Bavaria to this extent is intended to counteract this. The Dementia Screening Day is supported by the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care (StMGP) as part of the Bavarian Dementia Strategy.
digiDEM Bavaria – research project of the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg
digiDEM Bavaria is an interdisciplinary research project of the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, the University Hospital Erlangen and the innovation cluster Medical Valley European Metropolitan Region Nuremberg. The aim is to set up a digital dementia register for Bavaria in order to better understand the long-term course of the disease and to improve the care situation for people with dementia and their relatives throughout Bavaria. To this end, people with mild cognitive impairments or dementia and their caring relatives are systematically questioned about their situation.
Online offers also for relatives
In addition, digiDEM Bayern also develops digital offers, including for carers and volunteers. For example, there is the so-called “Traffic Light for Relatives”, a free, anonymous self-test that uses specific questions to show family carers the degree of their personal stress and thus gives them an impetus to change their life situation. People close to those affected can use an online questionnaire to assess their cognitive decline.
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