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55 million people live with dementia worldwide

It is estimated that 55 million people across the world have dementia.¹ Each year, there are 10 million new cases. A new case of dementia in the world is estimated to be diagnosed every 3 seconds.²

There are many forms of dementia

Another fact about dementia is that it is a broad term that covers many different brain disorders. Generally, dementia describes those who have impaired thinking, remembering, or difficulty making decisions that impact their ability to complete daily activities.³

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, with 60-70% of cases estimated to come from it.¹ Other forms of dementia include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, fronto-temporal dementia, and mixed dementia.

The United States spent $818 billion on Dementia in 2015

The healthcare costs of dementia are high, with Americans collectively spending $818 billion in the year 2015. Another dementia fact is experts estimate that the global cost of dementia is $1.3 trillion, and it is expected to rise to $2.8 trillion by 2030.⁴

There are signs of dementia

There are a few signs that someone may have dementia, including memory loss, confusion, personality changes, inability to do tasks, difficulty communicating, a struggle to perform spatial tasks, and impaired judgment.⁵

Some conditions can mimic dementia

According to the CDC, some of the symptoms of dementia can also be found in other conditions such as vitamin B12 deficiency, infections, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), or normal pressure hydrocephalus. Some medications have also been known to cause a few symptoms of dementia.⁶

There is no “cure” for dementia

Currently, there is no cure for dementia. One reason for this is there are different causes. However, researchers are studying common causes of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, in the hopes of finding a cure one day.

There are treatments to help those with dementia

While there is no cure for dementia, there are treatments to help those who have it. AchE inhibitors are designed to help nerve cells in the brain communicate with one another. Cognitive stimulation therapy and cognitive rehabilitation are also treatments commonly used to help those with dementia strengthen their brain.⁷

Some risk factors exist for dementia

There are a few risk factors for dementia, including being over 65, having a family member with dementia, being of African American or Hispanic descent, having poor heart health, and experiencing a traumatic brain injury.⁶

However, you can reduce your risk of dementia

Certain habits are correlated with a lower risk of dementia. Some of these include eating a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and moderating alcohol consumption.⁸

Women are more likely to get dementia than men

Another dementia fact is women over 70 are slightly more likely to get dementia than men, with 11% of women and 8% of men in that group having dementia.⁹

People with Down syndrome are at risk for dementia

Many people with Down Syndrome will get dementia because they are at risk for Alzheimer’s. It is estimated that 50% of people with Down syndrome will develop dementia from Alzheimer’s as they age.¹⁰

When someone develops dementia before 65, this is called young-onset dementia

While the risk for dementia increases with age, it is estimated by the Blue Cross Shield Health Index that 131,000 Americans between the ages of 30 and 65 were diagnosed with young-onset dementia in 2017. Young-onset dementia is the term for people under 65 who are diagnosed with dementia.¹¹

Dementia is not a “normal” part of aging

Dementia is not a normal part of aging, however, in a survey of 70,000 people, 62% of healthcare providers believe dementia is normal.¹² There are resources and organizations available to help people with dementia slow the effects and learn to cope with the condition.

Having Dementia Doesn’t Mean Life Has to Change

There are more accommodations than ever to help those with dementia live their everyday lives. There are programs designed for those with dementia to stay active. There are also groups in your local community that may help those with dementia meet one another and learn the facts about dementia so that way they can better cope with their condition.

Saber Healthcare and Memory Care

Here at Saber Healthcare, our teams offer memory care services for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. To learn more about these programs, click here.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources

1. “Dementia.” World Health Organization. 20 September 2022. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
2. “Dementia facts & figures.” Alzheimer’s Disease International. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.alzint.org/about/dementia-facts-figures/
3. “About Dementia.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 5 April 2019. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/dementia/index.html
4. “Dementia Statistics?” Alzheimer’s Disease International. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.alzint.org/about/dementia-facts-figures/dementia-statistics/
5. “8 Signs Your Loved One Has Dementia.” Saber Healthcare Group. 5 August 2021. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.saberhealth.com/news/blog/signs-of-dementia
6. “The Truth About Aging and Dementia.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 8 September 2021. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/dementia-not-normal-aging.html
7. “7 Facts You Should Know About Dementia: Debunking myths and misconceptions.” Age Space Ltd. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.agespace.org/dementia/dementia-facts
8. “Can dementia be prevented?” NHS. Last reviewed 26 June 2020. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/dementia-prevention/
9. “Fact Sheet: U.S. Dementia Trends.” PRB. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.prb.org/resources/fact-sheet-u-s-dementia-trends/
10. “Alzheimer's Disease in People With Down Syndrome.” National Institute on Aging. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-disease-people-down-syndrome
11. “Early-Onset Dementia and Alzheimer's Rates Grow for Younger American Adults.” Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Accessed 27 February 2020. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.bcbs.com/the-health-of-america/reports/early-onset-dementia-alzheimers-disease-affecting-younger-american-adults
12. Templeton, Lisa. Godfrey, Isabel. “95% of people think they could develop dementia with age.” MedicalNewsToday. 30 September 2019. Accessed 31 January 2023. Link: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326492#:~:text=The%20study%2C%20which%20surveyed%2070%2C000,though%20early%20diagnosis%20can%20help.