Overview
Key facts about Dementia
• Dementia is a syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities.
• Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of ageing.
• The total number of new cases of dementia each year worldwide is nearly 7.7 million, implying one new case every four seconds.
• Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases.
• Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.
• Dementia has physical, psychological, social and economical impact on caregivers, families and society. People with dementia are frequently denied the basic rights and freedoms available to others. For example, physical and chemical restraints are used extensively in aged-care facilities and acute-care settings.
• The high cost of the disease will challenge health systems to deal with the predicted future increase of cases. The costs are estimated at US$ 604 billion per year at present and are set to increase even more quickly than the prevalence.
• Early diagnosis improves the quality of life of people with dementia and their families.
• Improving the awareness and understanding of dementia across all levels of society is needed to decrease discrimination and to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their caregivers.
Source: World Health Organisation
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