“Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain.
Doctors typically use the word ‘‘dementia’’ to describe common symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and problems with speech and understanding that get worse over time.
Dementia can affect a person at any age, but it’s more common in people over the age of 65. There are many different types, subtypes, and causes of dementia. The most common are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia.
“Around one million people in the UK are estimated to be living with dementia. Someone develops the condition every three minutes.
Dementia causes changes in memory, thinking, personality, and behaviour, but symptoms vary depending on which type the person has.
Understanding the various types of dementia means people can get the right support to help them live better with the condition.”
Statistics show that 1 in 3 people born in the UK today will be diagnosed with dementia in their lifetime. 1.4 million people are expected to be living with dementia by 2040.
- Death Rate from Dementia: The UK has one of the highest dementia-related death rates, at 42.7 per 100,000 people, ranking second globally behind Finland (54.6 per 100,000). Global Prevalence: Worldwide, over 55 million people are living with dementia, and this number is expected to reach 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050.
- Regional Differences: The fastest-growing elderly populations are in China, India, and neighbouring South Asian and Pacific countries, meaning dementia cases are expected to rise sharply in these regions.
- Economic Impact: The global cost of dementia care exceeds $1.3 trillion and is projected to reach $2.8 trillion by 2030.
What causes dementia?
“Dementia is the result of changes in certain brain regions that cause neurons (nerve cells) and their connections to stop working properly. Researchers have connected changes in the brain to certain forms of dementia and are investigating why these changes happen in some people but not others. For a small number of people, rare genetic variants that cause dementia have been identified. Although we don’t yet know for certain what, if anything, can prevent dementia, in general, leading a healthy lifestyle may help reduce risk factors.”
Some societal impacts of dementia are;
- Impact on Families: Dementia can be emotionally and physically exhausting for caregivers, leading to stress, burnout, and financial difficulties. Family members often struggle with the progressive nature of the disease and the loss of their loved one’s independence.
- Social Isolation: People with dementia may withdraw from social activities due to cognitive decline, leading to loneliness and reduced quality of life. Social stigma can also prevent individuals from seeking help or receiving adequate support.
- Preventable Factors: Research suggests that 45% of dementia cases may be linked to preventable factors such as social isolation, hearing loss, and high cholesterol. Addressing these risks through lifestyle changes and early interventions could reduce the societal burden.
There are many different types, subtypes and causes of dementia. Each type stops a person’s brain cells (neurones) working properly in specific areas, affecting their ability to remember, think and speak.
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