Lani Rose R Dizon
Two-thirds of clinically diagnosed cases of dementia are women, who are disproportionately affected by the disease both directly and indirectly, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In fact, women also provide 70% of care hours for people living with dementia.
Dementia, which results from a variety of diseases and injuries that affect the brain, is currently the seventh leading cause of death and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people globally.
Globally, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase from 57.4 million cases in 2019 to 152.8 million cases in 2050. Projected increases in cases are attributed to population growth and population aging.
In 2019, dementia cost economies globally $1.3 trillion, approximately 50% of these costs are attributable to care provided by informal carers (family members and close friends), who provide on average 5 hours of care and supervision per day.
The Middle East and North Africa region is expected to have the largest percentage increase in the number of projected dementia cases in the world with a 367-percentage increase rate.
Qatar, which is the first Arab country to have a national dementia plan, tops the list of countries with the highest percentage increase in dementia cases globally, with dementia cases expected to rise by 1,926% from 4,202 cases in 2019 to 85,046 cases in 2050, according to a study conducted by The Lancet Public Health.
Over the years, women having greater risk of developing dementia during their lifetime has become a common knowledge.
In fact, around twice as many women have Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia, compared to men.
According to Alzheimer’s Society, the main reason for this greater risk is because women live longer than men and old age is the biggest risk factor for this disease.
Alzheimer’s Society noted that some studies have suggested that women over 80 years may be more likely to have Alzheimer’s disease than men of the same age.
Some of these are caused by differences in biology, such as menstruation, pregnancies and menopause. While others are more related to traditional differences in gender roles, such as education, work and lifestyle. Many of these have an impact on dementia risk, it added.
“For example, we know that having a full education and opportunities for lifelong mental stimulation helps to delay dementia in old age – something known as ‘cognitive reserve’. Historically, opportunities to go to university or work for many years in highly-skilled occupations have been less available to women, which has led some scientists to wonder if this might be an important risk factor for women. Women may also be more severely affected by some risk factors than men,” Alzheimer’s Society added.
In Qatar, Sidra Medicine, a member of Qatar Foundation, has recently opened a Memory Clinic dedicated to addressing the unique mental health needs of women aged 60 years and above.
The Memory Clinic also serves as a vital resource for women concerned about dementia, offering both preventative measures for those seeking to maintain cognitive health and specialized are for those already diagnosed.
In a press statement, Dr. Sami Omer, Attending Physician and Psychiatrist who leads the Memory Clinic, said, “It’s important to understand that memory loss is not a normal part of aging. There’s a clear distinction between the natural aging process and dementia, which is an illness. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of memory loss, we strongly recommend seeking professional help. Early intervention allows for timely treatment and management strategies, which can significantly improve outcomes and potentially slow the progression of conditions like dementia”.
According to the latest report of the Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), about 65% of health and care professionals across the world, and 80% of the general public incorrectly believe that dementia is a normal part of aging.
Things that increase the risk of developing dementia include:
Age (more common in those 65 or older)
High blood pressure (hypertension)
High blood sugar (diabetes)
Being overweight or obese
Smoking
Drinking too much alcohol
Being physically inactive
Being socially isolated
Depression.
Early signs and symptoms are:
Forgetting things or recent events
Losing or misplacing things
Getting lost when walking or driving
Being confused, even in familiar places
Losing track of time
Difficulties solving problems or making decisions
Problems following conversations or trouble finding words
Difficulties performing familiar tasks
Misjudging distances to objects visually.
