It affects an estimated 55 million people worldwide, though up to three quarters of those remain undiagnosed. More than half of healthcare practitioners think its symptoms are a normal part of aging. And on learning a family member has it, many caregivers are compelled to keep the news under wraps. These are the troubling realities that surround dementia—the umbrella term for a collection of brain disorders that impact memory, thinking, behavior and emotion—and there’s no better “Time to Act” on addressing them than World Alzheimer’s Month.
First, the Facts
Each September, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) organizes this global awareness campaign in collaboration with member associations. This year’s theme, “Time to Act on Dementia, Time to Act on Alzheimer’s,” focuses on dispelling misconceptions and building greater compassion for those affected.
There are more than 100 forms of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for 50 to 70 percent of all cases. The next most common forms are vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and front-temporal dementia. According to recent ADI research:
- The number of people living with dementia is expected to nearly double every 20 years, with someone in the world affected every 3 seconds.
- The annual worldwide cost of dementia is more than $1.3 trillion.
- Dementia is the leading cause of disability and dependency among the elderly. The odds of developing dementia for someone age 65 is 1 in 20. By age 80, the odds are 1 in 5.
- Over half of those caring for someone with dementia say the responsibility has caused their own health to suffer.
- Almost 80 percent of the general public are concerned about developing some form of dementia.
- One in 4 people think nothing can be done to prevent dementia. Yet a growing body of evidence has identified several modifiable risk factors (ones that can be eliminated or managed), such as smoking, obesity, hypertension, inactivity and depression.
Environmental and socioeconomic factors, such as air pollution and education level, also play a role in the worldwide prevalence of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
What Does Dementia Look Like?
In all forms of dementia, certain changes in the brain and the ultimate loss of nerve cells are what lead to symptoms, with distinctions among types primarily relating to the regions of the brain affected.
While every individual experiences dementia differently, early signs often include:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks
- Bouts of disorientation to time or place
- Difficulty with basic planning, problem solving and task completion
- Repeating questions or forgetting information just learned
- Frequently misplacing items, sometimes finding them in odd places
- Mood and personality changes
If you notice these signs in yourself or someone else, especially if they are persistent or worsening, talk to your healthcare provider about possible diagnostic testing.
Communicating with Kindness
Whether you’re a family member, a friend or simply an acquaintance, it can be hard to navigate the best ways to communicate with someone who has dementia. Alzheimer’s.gov, a resource managed by the National Institute on Aging, offers these tips to make interaction with the person easier and more effective:
- Be gentle and respectful. Listen to their concerns and frustrations and reassure them.
- If they don’t seem to recognize you, calmly remind them who you are and avoid showing surprise or alarm.
- Clearly explain an action—such as leaving the room for a moment and why—before you take that action.
- Ask questions to encourage two-way conversation.
- Be patient. Remember that having trouble finding words, repeating questions and becoming agitated are common effects of dementia.
- Spend time looking through photographs or a book together, especially if the person is having difficulty with words.
If you’re caring for someone with dementia, share these and other tips with any visitors ahead of time. Knowing what to expect can help ensure a positive experience for everyone.
Talk to Us
As a long-trusted provider of medication management solutions for individuals and facilities, we have a deep understanding of issues affecting senior health and well-being—and are committed to helping those we serve to live well. Join us in helping raise awareness around dementia and Alzheimer’s disease this month and, as always, reach out if you need us!