Monday, September 21, 2009
MORE THAN 35 MILLION PEOPLE WORLDWIDE HAVE DEMENTIA
More Than 35 Million Poeple Worldwide Have Dementia Says New Report: Alzheimer community reinforces importance of early diagnosis
An estimated 35.6 million people worldwide will be living with dementia in 2010 according to the World Alzheimer Report, a new report released on September 21, 2009 by the Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) in recognition of World Alzheimer’s Day.
This sobering statistic represents a 10 per cent jump in previous global dementia prevalence as reported in 2005 in The Lancet. What is even more alarming, the prevalence rate will nearly double every 20 years: to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050.
“The information in the 2009 World Alzheimer Report makes it clear that the crisis of dementia cannot be ignored,” says Kathy Wright, Executive Director of the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County. “In Ottawa and Renfrew County, this disease will place enormous burdens on individuals, families, and our health care systems.”
Wright pointed out that in Ottawa and Renfrew County, 12,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia; in Canada, half a million Canadians and 50,000 of them are under the age of 60. Within a generation (25 years), the number of Canadians with Alzheimer’s disease will more than double.
The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County is dedicated to providing programs and services for everyone living with the disease, including the person with the diagnosis, their caregivers and family members.
Today’s report is being delivered amongst a global message of Diagnosing Dementia: See it Sooner. Alzheimer associations all over the world, including the Alzheimer Society, are banding together to speak out about the importance of early diagnosis.
“Early diagnosis is an essential first step towards receiving appropriate help and support. Delay in diagnosis means that people with dementia and their caregivers suffer unnecessarily from uncertainty about what is happening, are deprived of the treatment and care they need, and are unable to begin planning for the future,” says Dr. Jack Diamond, Scientific Director, Alzheimer Society. To read the full report, visit www.alz.co.uk/worldreport
About the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County:
The Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County exists to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and to promote research. It provides information, support and education to the 12,000 individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in Ottawa and Renfrew County as well as their families and caregivers. Approximately half a million Canadians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias today, or 1 in 11 over the age of 65. For more information, visit www.alzheimer-ottawa-rc.org
About Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI):
ADI is an international federation of 71 Alzheimer associations around the world, in official relations with the World Health Organization. Each member is the national Alzheimer association in their country that supports people with dementia and their families. ADI's mission is to improve the quality of life of people with dementia and their families throughout the world. For more information, visit http://www.alz.co.uk/adi
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