‘Ulyanin?’ 5 myths about dementia busted in health docu-series by Metro Pacific Health

MANILA, Philippines — Dementia affects countless families and their loved ones in the Philippines and worldwide. Despite this, the condition remains misunderstood and underdiagnosed due to various misconceptions that surround it.  

Last September, Metro Pacific Health marked the World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month with the release of a new episode of its “Decode” health docu-series, which featured the touching personal stories of Estela Dela Cruz, an elder living with dementia, and her devoted daughter, Suzette Abaya. 

The episode, through a medical expert, also debunked myths about the condition. Here are some: 

It’s a common misconception to dismiss dementia as a natural part of the aging process. Many tend to believe that occasional forgetfulness, like missing an appointment or misplacing keys, is merely a consequence of growing older.  

However, Dra. Michelle Anlacan, a highly regarded Adult Neurologist and Dementia Specialist at Cardinal Santos Medical Center, offers a more nuanced perspective. She emphasizes that while some degree of memory decline is indeed normal as we age, it's crucial to discern occasional memory lapses to something more concerning. 

According to Anlacan, when memory lapses become a daily occurrence and start to interfere with one's daily life and routines, they can be indicative of a much more serious issue—dementia.  

Understanding this crucial difference can be a significant step toward identifying dementia. 

RELATED: What you need to know about Dementia 

In Filipino culture, the term “ulyanin” has been ingrained as a colloquial expression commonly employed to describe memory issues in the elderly. While ulyanin hints at memory-related challenges, it serves as an oversimplified and somewhat misleading descriptor. 

Dementia is a complex condition that extends well beyond memory problems alone. It is important to recognize that individuals grappling with dementia often confront a wide range of behavioral and psychological symptoms.  

These symptoms can be highly distressing and significantly impact not only their cognitive faculties but also their emotional and psychological well-being. 

Dementia is an overarching term that encompasses