Alzheimer's Disease is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. The disease accelerate the shrinking of the brain and the two main regions affected are language and memory, which gradually gets destroyed. This makes problem solving and other cognitive skills increasingly difficult and affect a person’s ability to perform everyday tasks.
As the disease progresses, the effect on the brain reduces the individual's ability to care for themselves and being able relate to others.
Worldwide
It's estimated 46.8 million people worldwide are living with dementia in 2015.
There are over 9.9 million new cases of dementia each year, implying one new case every 3.2 seconds.
58% of people with dementia live in low and middle income countries, but by 2050 this will rise to 68%.
The total estimated worldwide cost of dementia was US$818 billion in 2015.
America
- It is estimated 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's dementia.
- Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. It kills more than breast cancer and prostate combined.
- Since 2000 deaths from heart diseases decreased by 14% while death from Alzheimer's increased by 89%.
- Almost two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are women.
- African people are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer's or other dementias.
Trinidad
- There are 156,000 persons over the age of 60 years living in Trinidad and Tobago, according to Statistics from the Central Statistical Office (CSO).
- By 2050 it's estimated a quarter of Caribbean people will be 60 and over, according to World Population Aging.
2017 ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE FACTS AND FIGURES. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.alz.org/facts/
Alzheimer's and the Brain. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.helpforalzheimersfamilies.com/alzheimers-dementia-education/disease-definitions-research/brain-alzheimers_1-5/
Dementia statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.alz.co.uk/research/statistics
Education and knowledge are key to understanding the disease. See the fact sheets below kindly provided by the Alzheimer Society of Canada
About Dementia:
| What is Alzheimers Dementia?.pdf |
| Dispelling the myths.pdf |
| 10 Warning Signs.pdf |
| Mild Cognitive Impairment.pdf |
| First Steps.pdf |
Other Dementias:
| Vascular Dementia.pdf |
| Lewy Body Dementia.pdf |
| Fronto-Temporal Dementia.pdf |
Risk factors for developing Dementia:
| Risk factors.pdf |
| Understanding the genetics of dementia.pdf |
Getting a Diagnosis:
| Getting a diagnosis.pdf |
| Benefits of an early diagnosis.pdf |
| A dignified diagnosis.pdf |
| Preparing for your doctor's appointment.pdf |
Treatments for Dementia:
| Treatment Options.pdf |
| Donepezil (Aricept/Palixid).pdf |
| Rivastigmine (Exelon).pdf |
| Galantamine (Reminyl).pdf |
| Memantine (Ebixa/Namenda) - not available in T&T.pdf |
Living with Dementia:
| Caring for myself.pdf |
| Changes you may experience.pdf |
| Communication.pdf |
| Decision making.pdf |
| Driving.pdf |
| Emotions.pdf |
| Intimacy & sexuality.pdf |
| Living alone.pdf |
| Locating devices.pdf |
| Longterm care.pdf |
| Meal times.pdf |
| Personal care.pdf |
| Planning for the future.pdf |
| Quality of life.pdf |
| Restraints.pdf |
| Telling people.pdf |
Healthy Living:
| Healthier Brains.pdf |
| Healthier Living.pdf |
Progression of Alzheimer's Disease:
| Overview.pdf |
| Early stage.pdf |
| Middle stage.pdf |
| Late stage.pdf |
| End of life.pdf |
Caring for someone with Dementia:
| First steps for families.pdf |
| Handbook for care.pdf |
| Reducing caregiver stress.pdf |
| Ways to help.pdf |
| Day to day caregiving options.pdf |
| Ambiguous loss and grief.pdf |
Planning for the future:
| All about me booklet.pdf |
Information for kids and teenagers:
| For kids.pdf |
| For teenagers.pdf |
Information for healthcare professionals:
| Questions to ask if you suspect Dementia.pdf |
| Principles of a dignified diagnosis.pdf |
| The importance of early diagnosis.pdf |
| Communicating the diagnosis.pdf |
| Ambiguous loss and grief for HCPs.pdf |