MHM Magazine

Issue 3 | 2021 | MENTALHEALTHMATTERS | 35 MHM MEMORY LAPSES, MCI AND COGNITIVE ENHANCERS IN THE ELDERLY Webinar presented by Dr Felix CV Potocnik, Specialist Psychiatrist, Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch A geing incurs a gradual decline in our physiological and physical abilities and the erosion of our bodies’ reserves. While about 70% of the elderly population is free from psychopathy, around 30% will require some form of psychopharmacological treatment at any given time. Ailments in the elderly may be co-morbid, transient, or persistent. This makes constant vigilance and frequent reviews of treatment all the more important. Most people over 60 will recognise subjective memory loss themselves and a modest decline in cognition. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) affects 20 to 30% of the elderly and a third of these will proceed to dementia. Statistics from the United Kingdom indicate that one in three patients will die from the condition. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is an intermediate between normal ageing and dementia. This Normal ageing is not associated with any functional impairment provides clinicians and family a window of intervention to prevent or delay the progression of dementia. The earlier the treatment is, the better the prognosis will be. The COVID-19 pandemic is having long-term effects on the elderly and patients in care. In addition to visiting restrictions and social/physical distancing rules that affect patients’ sense of isolation, approximately 80 to 90% of elderly patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 will experience long-term, ongoing pain, fatigue and shortness of breath.