A few days before the World Day against Alzheimer’s disease, the France Alzheimer association questioned 1,400 patients aged 78 on average about their daily concerns. “In fact, in recent years the way patients are viewed has evolved. They claim to be actors in their illness, by participating in the decisions taken within the framework of its support and wish to testify to make their voices heard, their experience of the disease and their needs” underlines the association on its site.
All responded willingly, but only one out of four patients was able to respond on their own. The others had to get help from a relative, a health professional or a volunteer.
– 75% of patients feel well supported by their relatives (less obvious support for people aged 50 to 64 and for those who live alone);
– 8 out of 10 people find that they can no longer do the same activities as before, and more than one in two finds it difficult to move around on their own;
– 35% say that their main need is to receive help from those close to them, but only 34% manage to talk about their difficulties with those around them.
Finally, when asked what they would say to another person who has just been diagnosed, sufferers would first advise them to practice their favorite activities (52%), then to live from day to day (40%) and finally to accept daily help (38%).
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