A couple with Alzheimer's and dementia sit in their room at Hope Hermitage Elderly Care. Alzheimer’s disease, one of the leading causes of dementia, is a progressive illness that causes memory loss and mainly affects older adults. This condition is becoming more common worldwide, and Nepal is no exception. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2020, Alzheimer’s accounted for of deaths in Nepal, ranking the country 145th in the world for this condition. In 2015, it was estimated that around 78,000 people in Nepal had dementia, a number that rose to 134,000 by 2020 and is ex
A couple with Alzheimer's and dementia sit in their room at Hope Hermitage Elderly Care. Alzheimer’s disease, one of the leading causes of dementia, is a progressive illness that causes memory loss and mainly affects older adults. This condition is becoming more common worldwide, and Nepal is no exception. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2020, Alzheimer’s accounted for of deaths in Nepal, ranking the country 145th in the world for this condition. In 2015, it was estimated that around 78,000 people in Nepal had dementia, a number that rose to 134,000 by 2020 and is expected to reach 285,000 by 2050. Dementia doesn't only affect the person suffering from it; it becomes a heavy burden on their families, caregivers, and the entire healthcare system. Many cases remain undiagnosed, with early symptoms often overlooked or misunderstood. This makes managing the disease more complicated and delays essential these challenges, an organization Hope Hermitage Elderly Care Home brings hope to those affected by dementia and their families. Founded by Pramila Bajracharya Thapa, Hope Hermitage has been a pioneer in Alzheimer’s and dementia care in Nepal. For over 12 years, this facility, located in Gairidhara, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, has been providing residential care for patients. At Hope Hermitage, dementia specialist Prof. Dr. Nidesh Sapkota, along with a trained memory nurse, conducts detailed assessments and creates personalized care plans for each patient. Pramila explains, “In a country like Nepal, where illness often carries a stigma, our journey has been difficult. When I started this home, people didn’t even know what dementia was. They saw their parents or relatives acting strangely and labeled it as ‘madness.’ They didn’t understand what was happening, and this lack of awareness prevented them from providing the care and support that could have slowed the progression of the disease.” Pramila recalls that back when she started, dementia
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Keywords: alzheimers, care, couple, dementia, diagnosis, disease, elderly, health, hermitage, hope, illness, issues, loss, memory, mental, room
