Every second German is afraid of Alzheimer's

Study: Every second German is afraid of Alzheimer's

12.05.2011

After the suicide of the photographer Gunter Sachs is discussed nationwide about Alzheimer's and dementia. Even without the current headlines of Journalei, the disease is heavily affecting many people in Germany. According to a survey of the health insurance DAK gave every second German, he was afraid of Alzheimer's or dementia to fall ill.

On behalf of the DAK, the research and opinion institute Forsa questioned around 3,000 people from all over Germany about their health fears. Of particular importance was the question of which disease people are most afraid of. In the representative survey of 3,015 participants, 50 percent of respondents named Alzheimer's and dementia. Women were 57 percent more concerned about Alzheimer's disease than men (42 percent). In the age group of those over 60 years old, the fear of severe memory and orientation disorders was almost as high at 60 percent as among cancer tumors at 63 percent.

„The fear of people and the rising numbers of those affected show us that the right way to deal with Alzheimer's and dementia is a major social challenge and there is a great need for education“, says DAK Alzheimer's expert Horst Bölle. Above all, doctors play an important role here. Important is a timely diagnosis and the best possible therapy. „Important is the comprehensive and sensitive information of those affected and their relatives“, emphasizes Bölle. „There are many ways to deal with the disease and to live with it.“ An important help is also self-help groups for all involved.

Fear of Alzheimer's greater than before heart attacks
According to the study, most people were afraid of cancer. 73 percent of respondents called the malignant tumors. This was followed by accidents with serious and persistent injuries (53 percent) and stroke (52 percent). The men's particularly dreaded heart attack was named at 45 percent after old-age Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Alzheimer's disease (Latin for Alzheimer's disease) is a neurodegenerative disease that most often occurs in patients over the age of 65 years. In over 60 percent of dementia cases, Alzheimer's is responsible for the loss of cognitive performance. Around 24 billion people around the world suffer from dementia, according to the WHO. The mental deterioration is still not curable, even if there are always reports of individual scientists that soon an effective therapy is available. However, the origins and causes of Alzheimer's disease are still not fully understood. (Sb)

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