In the United States, most people recognize the month of November and the color purple with Alzheimer's awareness. We are familiar with the Walks to End Alz, the fundraising, the memory loss and how it is the worst designation of dementia. What we don't often do is take a pause and recognize that this disease devastates across the globe. Dementia is no respecter of persons, race, gender, creed. It affects us all.
 There are an estimated 9.9 million new cases of dementia each year globally.  As of 2015, the estimated number of people in each region of the globe suffering from dementia was as follows: 9.4 million in the Americas, 10.5 billion in Europe, 4 million in Africa, 22.9 million in Asia.  In 2015, the estimated cost for dementia care across the globe was $818 billion. By 2030, it is projected to exceed $2 trillion. | There are approximately 50 million people suffering from Dementia worldwide.  Alzheimer's Disease is the most prevalent form of dementia, affecting some 60-70% of all cases worldwide.  Every 3 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.  |
Dementia and Alzheimer's are overwhelming to those diagnosed and to their families. In brings about great additional stress healthwise, financially, legally, and even socially.
In the United States, and most other Western nations, dementia and Alzheimer's are generally treated as the diseases they are. Laws, plans and methods of care are in place to protect those diagnosed and to preserve their quality of life and dignity. In other countries, it is often a different scenario, with those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's often being denied their basic human rights. In many other nations, those with Alzheimers and dementia are restrained through physical and chemical means. They may be treated as less than. This is unacceptable, and the world needs to take appropriate action to provide protection, dignity and quality care to those who need it, no matter their country.
Global organizations, like the World Health Organization are leading the charge. In 2017, the World Health Assembly got behind a new initiative, the Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017-2025. It provides a framework for comprehensive action across countries to address legislative and other options for providing protection and care to these vulnerable citizens. One objective includes the Global Dementia Observatory, an international platform established to help governing bodies and researches across the planet facilitate, monitor and share information on dementia policies and research.
The goal is eradication. Lets explore how we can do our part.
Sources:
- Dementia, World Health Organization
- Dementia Statistics, Alzheimer's Disease International
In the United States, and most other Western nations, dementia and Alzheimer's are generally treated as the diseases they are. Laws, plans and methods of care are in place to protect those diagnosed and to preserve their quality of life and dignity. In other countries, it is often a different scenario, with those suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's often being denied their basic human rights. In many other nations, those with Alzheimers and dementia are restrained through physical and chemical means. They may be treated as less than. This is unacceptable, and the world needs to take appropriate action to provide protection, dignity and quality care to those who need it, no matter their country.
Global organizations, like the World Health Organization are leading the charge. In 2017, the World Health Assembly got behind a new initiative, the Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia 2017-2025. It provides a framework for comprehensive action across countries to address legislative and other options for providing protection and care to these vulnerable citizens. One objective includes the Global Dementia Observatory, an international platform established to help governing bodies and researches across the planet facilitate, monitor and share information on dementia policies and research.
The goal is eradication. Lets explore how we can do our part.
Sources:
- Dementia, World Health Organization
- Dementia Statistics, Alzheimer's Disease International
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