2050, 115 Million People Will Have Dementia

2050, 115 Million People Will Have Dementia
Geneva, Psychology Zone - The case of dementia is expected to soar in coming decades, especially in poor countries. This statement was delivered by the World Health Organization (WHO).

A total of 35.6 million people have dementia in 2010, but the figure is expected to double to 65.7 million in 2030. While in 2050, their number will increase to three times the 115.4 million.

"The numbers are already very large and will increase more rapidly," said Dr. Shekhar Saxena, head of the WHO mental health division, Wednesday (11/4).

Most dementia patients cared for by relatives. Total expenditure of all patients for one year could reach 604 billion dollars. Financial burden is expected to increase even more rapidly than the number of cases.

"The costs are charged to millions of households will be included in the poverty line," said Margaret Chan, Director-General of the Agency.

Dementia is a brain disease that can affect memory, behavior and ability to perform everyday tasks and experienced by many people who reach the final adult. About 70 percent of cases are believed to be caused by Alzheimer's.

In recent decades, dementia has become a major public health issue in developed countries. But the population in poor and developing countries are projected to increase in coming decades.

WHO asks for more attention to public awareness and health services program. For those of poor and developing countries, cases of dementia will increase from 60 percent to 70 percent in 2050.

According to WHO, so far only eight countries including Britain, France and Japan have had a national program to cope with dementia. Some other countries like the United States has had a plan at the state level.

Meanwhile, Saxena makes specific recommendations for policy makers in countries of the world about how to deal with the challenges of dementia as soon as possible.

"Developing countries like China, India and Brazil have taken advantage of the health care system but do not have the capacity to handle the increase in the number of cases of dementia," said Saxena.

He said the need to ensure that doctors and nurses can see the early symptoms, due to lack of expertise in diagnosis can be a bottleneck in the process of handling. Even in developed countries, more than once dementia cases overlooked until the disease reaches its final stages.

One mistake that is perceived by the public is demesia not be prevented.

"Most people think of dementia as a normal sign of aging, and it's not true," Saxena said, "many older people have problems with their memory and cognitive, but dementia is a disease with symptoms that are more and more quickly."

When dementia is handled half-half or even ignored, people with dementia can become isolated and vulnerable,