People believe dementia to be a normal part of ageing: Survey

• 2 in 3 people still think dementia is a normal part of ageing
• 62% of health care practitioners still think it a normal part of ageing
• Around 50% of people living with dementia feel ignored by health care professionals (physicians and nurses)
• Every 3 seconds someone in the world develops dementia but most people do not receive  diagnosis or support
• 1 in 4 people think there is nothing we can do to prevent dementia 

Results from the world’s largest survey on attitudes to dementia reveal a startling lack of global knowledge around the condition, with two thirds of respondents still thinking the disease is a normal part of ageing rather than a neurodegenerative disease. 

The findings are from the ‘World Alzheimer’s Report 2019: Attitudes to Dementia’, based on survey responses received from 70,000 people living in 155 countries. Survey respondents included people living with dementia, carers, healthcare practitioners and the general public. The analysis of the study was carried out by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). The report was released by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), the international federation of 100 Alzheimer’s associations and federations worldwide. Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation (LAF) is a member association of the ADI and the only organisation dedicated to the wellbeing of persons with dementia and their caregivers in Sri Lanka. 

The report reveals that the stigma around dementia is preventing people from seeking information, advice, support and medical help that could dramatically improve their length and quality of life. Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are the fifth leading cause of death globally. “At the individual level, stigma can undermine life goals and reduce participation in meaningful life activities, as well as lower levels of well-being and quality of life. At the societal level, structural stigma and discrimination can influence levels of funding allocated to care and support,” says ADI’s Chief Executive Paola Barbarino.  

The ADI launched its global campaign ‘Let’s Talk about Dementia’ in September 2019 to stimulate conversation around dementia, its warning signs, risk reduction, who to speak to and where to go to for advice. Lack of knowledge about dementia leads to inaccurate assumptions about its effects on the person and their family, as well as negative stereotypes about the behaviour of a person with dementia. 

It is estimated that almost half a million people in Sri Lanka will be living with dementia by 2050. Sri Lanka has one of the fastest-ageing populations in the region and it is important that serious consideration be given to improving the understanding of dementia, its timely diagnosis, treatment, access to care and support.

The Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation (LAF) advocates for and on behalf of persons with dementia and their carers. It provides a range of services from information on dementia, community programs to eradicate stigma and provide education on risk reduction and memory screening, to activity centres for persons with dementia, a newsletter and other resource material. Check www.alzlanka.org for further details or call their helpline on 0112667080 for advice, support and guidance.