Dementia series part 1 — Call for Dementia Action plan
Looxid Labs has developed the technology that analyzes EEG signals and eye-tracking data to assess cognitive performance. We are currently applying this technology to our in-home cognitive care solution, LUCY, designed to prevent dementia and spot the early signs of dementia in daily life. This dementia series aims to provide information on the basics of dementia and the latest digital technologies applied for early diagnosis, and last but not least, our technology and its use for early diagnosis of dementia through our cognitive care solution, LUCY.
Written by Shannon H. Jeon
hyungsin.jeon@looxidlabs.com
1. Entering the Super-Aged Society
The constant birth rate drop and the increase of life expectancy have happened globally over the past decades, and South Korea is no exception. The country’s population is now aging much faster and approaching the first ‘super-aged society’ in history. South Korea already entered the ‘aging society’ in 2000, and since then, the older population has kept growing amid the demographic crisis with its plummeting birth rate. According to Statistics Korea, as of the end of 2020, about 16% of the total population was people aged 65 or older. The share of older people will keep growing disproportionately, making the country the ‘aged society’ by 2025, and the number is expected to increase to as high as 43.9% by 2060.
According to the United Nations standards, when older adults account for 7% or more of the total population, the society defined as an ‘aging society’; A society standing at over 14% and over 20% defined as an ‘aged society’ and a ‘super-aged society’ respectively.
2. Emphasis on the Increase in Life Expectancy and Demand for Health Care
During this foreseen fight against the demographic crisis, South Korea should also pay closer attention to the discrepancy between the life expectancy and ‘healthy life expectancy’, also known as ‘Health Adjusted Life Expectancy (HALE).’ HALE refers to the expected years of life spent in good health from birth, free of diseases or injuries. Whereas life expectancy merely means the number of years a person can expect to live. Technological advances have helped us live longer than ever, but this does not imply that we can ensure our health during the prolonged years to live.
The recent statistics show that the Korean population’s HALE, 64.4 years old, is a lot shorter than its average life expectancy, estimated at 82.7 years old. This discrepancy is worsening every year, anticipating that Korean people, in general, would undergo diseases or injuries for a longer period of time as they get older.
South Korea’s demographic crisis will have a devastating impact on the country and all aspects of society. The number of seniors with health issues who will depend on welfare and public services will inevitably arise every year, if South Korea does not take immediate action on prevention. Therefore, it places enormous economic and social burdens on society and younger generations. In response to the aging society’s predicaments and health crisis, South Korea needs to prioritize the urgency of making its population live healthier, not just longer.
3. The Importance of Dementia Intervention for Older Adults
When it comes to the health issues for older adults, dementia cannot be ignored. This so-called “losing myself” is the leading cause for the elderly’s hospitalization in Korea and is recognized as one of the top 4 deadliest diseases and health conditions. Technically, dementia does not refer to a specific type of disease rather a collection of signs and symptoms of cognitive decline due to brain cell damage, hindering one from performing everyday activities as usual. As the older population proliferates, the number of its members getting affected by dementia is also rising every year. This is a public health priority that demands great attention and commitment from individuals and society.
3.1 Impacts on society
Dementia has significant social and economic implications. According to Statistics Korea in 2018, the yearly social and economic costs for dementia were more than 15 billion US dollars, exceeding all treatment expenses of the other top deadliest diseases. The societal burden will continue rising, as the number of older adults and affected patients increase. Some experts have voiced concern that dementia would strain the national Long-Term Care Insurance and eventually lead to a fund deficit within a few years.
3.2 Impacts on individuals
The irreversible impairment found in most cases of dementia is devastating and challenging. If not appropriately treated, affected individuals may no longer lead a healthy daily life. Substantial care and support are required and contributed mainly by one’s family or primary caregivers.
The family and caregivers of patients with dementia may experience a difficult situation when they constantly use up their resources, such as time, money, and energy, to assist their patients. This can be extremely harsh for the carers, especially when their stress goes unchecked for a long time. Many carers of patients with dementia report high levels of stress and depression, and some have suicide ideation or even committed suicide due to significant care burden. Tragic cases like abuse or murder of patients also occur occasionally. The well-being of both the patient with dementia and their carers is pivotal for the patient’s positive outlook despite dementia itself. The best means to manage dementia is to have regular checkups and get treated in the earlier stage or prevent dementia at all times by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Closing
Dementia and its progressive nature can cause dire consequences and impact many individuals and society in various ways. South Korea has made dementia a public health priority, taken national responsibility, and established policies and national plans for dementia prevention and early diagnosis. The government vigorously supports research institutions, universities, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies in efforts to overcome dementia. For a triumph over dementia, we, the general public, need to educate ourselves and prevent dementia in daily life.
Looxid Labs is well aware of the urgent call for the dementia action plan and is developing the care solution for dementia, including early diagnosis and treatment programs. In the following articles, we will dive more into dementia with its characteristics and symptoms and introduce the preventive and diagnostic methods using digital biomarkers. We will further explain our technology and its approach to present the possibilities of defeating dementia in the later articles.
References
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