More dementia patients worldwide

Worldwide rapid increase in dementia

05/12/2013

Alarming numbers has delivered a study that has looked at the progression of dementia. Thus, the number of dementia diseases globally, has increased in the past three years by about a quarter, according to the study published on Thursday „Alzheimers Deseas International“ - Organization. The study is a supplement to the alzheimer's report published in 2009, because with the newly obtained data from China and the sub-Saharan African countries, conclusions can now be drawn about the future spread of dementia. Dementia is for the UK Department of Health „a growing worldwide challenge“, such a speaker and must be included in the next G-8 summit in the agenda.

Global increase of more than two-thirds forecast
With 44 million dementia patients worldwide, the incidence of this disease has increased 22 percent in the last three years. By 2050, the experts are even expecting an increase to 135 million people, which is a tripling. For the boss of „Alzheimer Disease International“, Marc Wortmann, the numbers are equated with a global epidemic, spoke of a global epidemic. He predicts that the number of elderly people with Alzheimer's „dramatic“ will increase. According to the study, there will also be a regional shift in the distribution of dementia. By 2050, 71% of people with dementia will live in middle and low income countries.

The number of dementia patients is also increasing in Germany. According to the German Alzheimer's Association, the number of sufferers in Germany will rise from the current 1.4 million to about three million by the year 2050, should there be no significant breakthrough in therapy. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia in Germany with two-thirds, said a spokesman for the Alzheimer's Society in Berlin. In order to counteract this development, the concept of long-term care needs to be redefined so that those affected receive better benefits from long-term care insurance. The future federal government has already been presented with a corresponding concept.

In the meantime, people over the age of 60 in Germany are more afraid of dementia than of cancer or stroke, according to a survey by DAK-Gesundheit. The organization „Alzheimer Disease International“ Believes that the key to victory in the fight against dementia is, among other things, a combination of a global solution strategy, taking into account regional circumstances. Efforts must relate to strengthening the area of ​​care and caregivers. This is the only way to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their families around the world. (Fr)