SEPTEMBER IS WORLD ALZHEIMERS MONTH AND THIS YEAR THE CAMPAIGN THEME IS " The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do. A Diagnosis Matters" tackling the persistent stigma and discrimination surrounding dementia by shining a spotlight on the timely and important issue of early diagnosis. Statistics state that there are over 55 million people around the world living with dementia. Someone develops dementia every 3 seconds. The number of people living with dementia is predicted to rise sharply to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. Dementia will be the 3rd leading cause of death globally by 2040. The economic burden of dementia in the US $1.3 trillion dollars every year, a figure that will more than double by 2030. 88% of people living with dementia indicate experiencing discrimination. More than 90% of carers and respondents from the general public said they would be encouraged to get a diagnosis if a disease-modifying treatment was available for dementia. More than 80% of the general public believe that they can change the support provided to people with dementia through their vote. Over 50% of carers globally say their health has suffered as a result of their caring responsibilities even whilst expressing positive sentiments about their role. 50% of the costs for dementia are related to informal care. Globally, the annual number of unpaid informal care hours provided to people with dementia living at home is the equivalent of 67 million full-time workers. Women are most likely to provide care to people with dementia, both professionally and informally, with around two thirds of primary caregivers overall being women. This figure is significantly higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), areas which will account for 71% of the global prevalence of dementia by 2050. Two thirds of people living with dementia are women. In LMICs, 90% of the care for those living with dementia occurs in the home.
Dementia Awareness Almost 80% of the general public are concerned about developing dementia and 1 in 4 people think that there is nothing we can do to prevent dementia. 35% of carers across the world said that they have hidden the diagnosis of dementia of a family member. 46% of people living with dementia and carers identified fear of diagnosis and stigma as barriers to diagnosis. 1 in 4 of the public thinks that there is nothing that can be done to prevent dementia, yet research shows that by responding to 14 modifiable risk factors, up to 45% of dementia cases could be delayed or even prevented. 65% of health and care professionals incorrectly believe dementia is a normal part of ageing. Low levels of awareness, alongside stigma and discrimination can prevent or delay concerned individuals speaking to their health care practitioners about dementia. An accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or dementia can help unlock treatment, care and support options and assistance to enable those living with a diagnosis to live independently for as long as possible. There are estimated to be 55 million people living with dementia globally, however many people do so without a formal diagnosis. An accurate diagnosis of dementia can help improve access to treatment, care and support to enable those living with a diagnosis to live independently for as long as possible. However 85% of people with living with dementia do so without post-diagnostic support. Governments have an opportunity and a responsibility to dramatically increase awareness, detection and diagnosis of dementia, by meeting targets of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Action Plan on dementia.
Today is worlds Alzheimers day bringing attention towards those in our own community here at Ashfield House that are affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia.
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