Dementia : A
growing global
issue
Dr Mary Tilki
Associated Country Women
of the World Conference
2016
Dementia : A growing global
issue
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A growing issue for women especially
Populations are ageing worldwide
Increasing life span increases dementia risk
Lifestyle factors also add to risk
Longevity (and dementia) already present in
high income societies
Populations ageing faster in low and middle
income countries (with rising dementia)
What is dementia ?
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Umbrella term for symptoms of memory and
cognitive decline
Causes decline in ability to do daily activities
Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia,
Dementia with Lewy Bodies, mixed types
Incidence increases with age(mainly over 65)
Growing rates under 65, (NB migrants/Roma)
Can affect behaviour, judgement, vision,
mobility
Where are the people with
dementia?
 37%
people live with dementia in high
income societies
 63% people live with dementia in low and
middle income societies
 Rates will double in Europe and North
America by 2050
 Rates will triple in Asia by 2050
 Rates will quadruple in Latin America and
Africa by 2050
Dementia and women
 Live
longer, greater risk of dementia
 More likely to live alone in old age
 Greater risk due to oestrogen loss
 Lack of education also increases risk
 More likely to care for family members
 More likely to be in caring professions
 Chains of care – women leave
developing countries for care work
Dementia (un)awareness
 Public
awareness & understanding poor
 No word for dementia in many languages
 Seen as “normal” part of ageing
 Fear, stigma and shame widespread
 Seen as hopeless, incurable, irreversible
 Perceive people with dementia have no
capacity to make decisions
 Believe people with dementia need
protection
Challenging misunderstanding
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Dementia is a disorder of brain function
Dementia affects everybody differently
Memory, cognition can fluctuate
People retain many skills and abilities
Worsened by stress, tiredness, unfamiliarity
Can function well in early stages, learn to
adapt, adjust and cope
Memory loss can be slowed / improved
People with dementia are still “people”
Benefits of early diagnosis
 It
may not be dementia, may be treatable
 Drugs may help slow Alzheimer’s Disease
 Diagnosis opens doors to support, therapy
 Person/family can get information, learn
ways of adapting, supporting
 Time to build support networks, care
“team”, engage wider community
 Allow to plan for future, advanced
directives, power of attorney etc.
Prevention, risk reduction
 The
earlier the better, but never too late!
 Manage hypertension and diabetes
 Stop smoking
 Reduce weight
 Increase physical activity
 Expand active social engagement
 Challenge the brain! Use it or lose it!
Living well with dementia
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Remain socially active, engaged, talk about it.
Retain as much continuity as possible
Avoid negative language, focus on strengths
Adjust expectations, adapt home, lifestyle
Learn coping skills, manage risk, accept help
Engage in stimulating activities e.g. volunteering
Maintain or increase physical activity
Dementia friendly communities, businesses,
public services, places of worship,
Useful links
 https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
 http://www.scie.org.uk/dementia/e-
learning/
 http://www.irishinbritain.org/campaigns/c
uimhne-irish-memory-loss-alliance
 http://www.cad-brent.org.uk/
 http://dementiavoices.org.uk/
 Contact
: [email protected]