Dementia describes a group of symptoms involving memory, thinking, behavior and ability to perform every day activities.
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia – the most common type. Other types include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy Bodies and frontotemporal dementia.
By the Numbers:
Over 5.3 million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Most of them were diagnosed when over the age of 65, and almost 2/3 are women.[1]
- 200,000 people were diagnosed with Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s, under the age of 65.[2]
- Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States.[3]
- Alzheimer’s is expensive – to all of us. In 2015, the total cost of all dementias will be $226 billion.[4]
Stigma:
Because of misconceptions and stigma, people are often reluctant to acknowledge signs of dementia, and therefore to access needed help, whether from friends and family or healthcare providers.[5] Healthcare providers oftentimes don’t know how to tell their patients about their Alzheimer’s diagnosis.[6] Only 45% of people with Alzheimer’s disease or their caregivers report being told of their diagnosis, compared to 90% of other diseases.[7] This leads to a delay in diagnosis and loss of vital time to make decisions and plan. The belief that nothing can be done until the disease progresses impacts healthcare providers’ reluctance to disclose a diagnosis early.[8]
Emphasizing the symptoms of dementia, rather than acknowledging and supporting the capabilities of those with the syndrome, leads to isolation. It is a barrier to improving the care and well-being of people with dementia.[9]
[1] Alzheimer’s Association. 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia 2015;11(3)332+. http://www.alz.org/facts/downloads/facts_figures_2015.pdf, accessed 6/2/15.
[2] Ibid
[3] Ibid
[4] Ibid
[5] Batsch NL, Mittelman MS. World Alzheimer Report 2012: Overcoming the stigma of dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2012.
[6] Phillips, J., Pond, C. D., Paterson, N. E., Howell, C., Shell, A., Stocks, N. P., … Marley, J. E. (2012). Difficulties in disclosing the diagnosis of dementia: a qualitative study in general practice. The British Journal of General Practice,62(601), e546–e553.
[7] Alzheimer’s Association. 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s & Dementia 2015;11(3)332+. http://www.alz.org/facts/downloads/facts_figures_2015.pdf, accessed 6/2/15.
[8] Vernooij-Dassen, MJFJ., Moniz-Cook, ED., Woods, RT et al (2005.) Factors affecting timely recognition and diagnosis of dementia across Europe: from awareness to stigma International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry; 20,(4) 377–386.
[9] Batsch NL, Mittelman MS. World Alzheimer Report 2012: Overcoming the stigma of dementia. Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2012.