2013 World Alzheimer Report Reveals Global Alzheimer’s Epidemic
As the world population ages, the traditional system of informal care by family, friends and community will come under increasing strain. Data from the World Alzheimer Report 2013 to be released today predicts the number of dependent older people will rise from 101 million in 2010 to 277 million in 2050, an almost threefold increase. Conservative estimates show that at least 36 million people currently live with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and that number is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
In response to the global Alzheimer’s epidemic, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) and Home Instead Senior Care® have joined together to host the Living with Alzheimer’s: A Journey of Caring roundtable to discuss the World Alzheimer Report 2013 and the state of caregiving in North America. ADI and Bupa commissioned a team of researchers, led by Professor Martin Prince from King’s College London, to produce the report. The development of the report was supported by a grant from Bupa. The events, held in three international capitals, address the global impact of the disease during World Alzheimer’s Month. The first event occurred today in Washington, D.C. The other events are in London on Sept. 20 and Beijing on Sept. 26.
The authoritative report on the global Alzheimer’s epidemic, World Alzheimer Report 2013 focuses on the changing nature of long-term care due to changing family and societal dynamics – smaller families, increased urbanization, workforce mobility and the changing role of women. It also addresses the impact on caregivers for people with dementia, which often includes decreased earnings and deteriorating physical and mental health. “Ability to care for those with Alzheimer’s is an emerging threat,” said Marc Wortmann, executive director, ADI. “That’s why we’ve joined with Home Instead Senior Care to address the challenges of care until there’s a cure. Every day our organizations see the impact of Alzheimer’s on families and their struggles to provide support while juggling children, jobs and other responsibilities. Focus on care for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia is critical.”
The report examines the global impact of the disease and provides a comprehensive view of the impact the disease has on society. A particular focus this year was the impact of Alzheimer’s and dementias on those who provide care. The report concludes that there is need for additional support in order to lessen the burden on the individual as well as the global infrastructure.
“Two-thirds of the calls we get every day are from families in crisis. Most often an older parent, grandparent or spouse fell, began exhibiting increasingly worrisome behaviors, or the family member caring for the older adult simply can’t keep up with the demands of care,” said Jeff Huber, president of Home Instead Senior Care. “It is our responsibility as a society to determine how we can better support their needs. We’re partnering with ADI to raise awareness of the needs and challenges for families and to make the support and educational classes and materials we’ve developed widely available around the world.”
For World Alzheimer’s Month, Home Instead Senior Care will host more than 750 free Alzheimer’s CARE Training sessions globally. Available both in-person and online, these training sessions help families prepare for and react to the challenging behaviors involved with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and also to help family members care for themselves. Complementing the training is a new handbook, Confidence to Care, and the free Alzheimer’s care smartphone app, “Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias Daily Helper.” Both offer practical insights to understanding, managing and preventing the behavioral symptoms associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and are designed to be quick reference materials when caregivers are looking for a solution to a situation.
“Studies consistently show that older adults overwhelmingly prefer to age at home,” said Huber. “Caregiver stress is a driver for transition to institutional care. Interventions that provide support, education and training for caregivers have considerable potential to reduce or delay transition into institutional settings.”
“We must come together, as private organizations, companies and governments and address the issues raised in the report,” said Wortmann. “Today was the first step, but together we learn from each other, identify best practices and embark upon this journey of caring.”
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