The number of people with dementia is expected to explode within 30 years, according to a recent report. The care of these patients remains the major challenge for rich and modest countries.
44 million people suffer from dementia worldwide, including 35 million from Alzheimer’s disease according to the Alzheimer Disease International report, revealed on December 5. This neurodegenerative disease is just one of the many forms that dementia can take in older people. Exploding in rich countries, it could soon reach developing countries.
Explosion in poor countries
According to estimates by Alzheimer Disease International, the number of people with dementia is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050. Those affected will mainly be over the age of 60: almost half of them may one day be demented (45%). Currently, dementia affects the different continents fairly evenly, even if the rich countries are more affected. This is explained by a higher life expectancy.
The report estimates that the number of people with dementia is expected to increase by a third in rich countries by 2050. Poor and modest countries are expected to catch up with or even overtake these regions of the world. They are expected to be overwhelmed by a wave of new cases. India, in particular, is expected to see the number of sick people double. The situation for China is similar. The other regions of Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa are also concerned. Another surprising fact: dementia will mainly affect cities in these regions. In rural areas there are fewer dependent elderly people and this should not change.
Poor care
We must start now to better manage the management of dementia, suggests the report, because the aging of the population is a reality. This is not currently the case: dependency represents a minimal share of world income, 1% of world GNP. While the number of workers able to take care of the additional cost of additional patients is reduced, the health systems and social protection suffer from a lack of organization. The report warns governments upon its introduction: “Since those who will be old in 2060 have already been born, the impact of an aging population on long-term care needs and their cost is both predictable and inevitable. Governments and the companies they represent have no excuse if they find themselves insufficiently prepared. “
The Alzheimer Disease International report makes several recommendations worldwide. As of today, it is necessary to make dementia a health priority. For this, it is necessary to better assess dementia in each country, in terms of prevalence and care needs. The establishment of better adapted hospital structures is also recommended. At the institutional level, the report recommends integrating the social and health systems, in order to better coordinate the various care services.
Research is currently trying to unravel the secrets of the different forms of dementia. Some progress has been made. But primary prevention solutions will have to be found, in particular to better detect people at risk. Defining treatments to reduce the impact of dementia on the autonomy of patients will be the next step.
.
