Ageing populations ‘to lead to global health crisis’

Ageing populations will almost certainly lead to a global health crisis in little more than 30 years, a major study warns.

The number of dependent older people is expected to rise threefold to 277m globally by 2050 with half of them having Alzheimer’s or other form of dementia.

Ireland is expected to be among the countries worst affected, because of our rapidly ageing population. There are now 41,700 people in Ireland with dementia but that is expected to rise to 147,000 by 2041.

The World Alzheimer Report, released yesterday by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), reveals that as the world population ages, the traditional system of “informal” care by family, friends, and community will not be sustainable.

The report predicts the number of dependent older people will rise from 101m in 2010 to 277m in 2050. Nearly half of them are living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, quickly becoming a global health crisis.

In Ireland, only 24% of those surveyed aged 65 and over have spoken with family members regarding long-term care. In general, this was more likely to have occurred for better educated respondents, those who were older, and those who were already disabled.

The annual global report focuses this year on the impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia on those who provide care.

“Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s and dementia is a 24/7 job which is often required very soon after diagnosis,” said Gerry Martin, chief executive of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

“Carers can feel isolated and overwhelmed by the demands placed on them which evolve constantly over time, requiring advanced planning, monitoring, and co-ordination. That’s why dementia needs to be a public health priority and adequate planning needs to be in place so that people with dementia can live well.”

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is engaged with the Government to ensure the development of a national dementia strategy to be introduced by the end of this year.

“It is clearer than ever from the latest ADI report that every country needs a national dementia strategy that promotes early diagnosis and a continuum of care post-diagnosis,” said Mr Martin.

“The society is seeking to ensure that primary care services, specialist diagnostic and treatment centres and community-based services all play a role in improving the standard of care available. We need a clear pathway developed now so that future families and friends are not shouldering the burden of care alone for their loved one.”

To mark World Alzheimer’s Week, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland has launched a public awareness campaign which aims to inform people on how they can reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia in later life. Research has shown that keeping your brain, body and heart as healthy and active as possible are seen as important steps which could lessen the chance of being diagnosed with dementia in the future.

“It is estimated that there will be 147,000 people living with a form of dementia in Ireland by 2041 due to an ageing population. On one hand, we need to map our care pathways to deal with this but it is also essential that we raise awareness on how everyone can reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by performing regular tasks to ensure they keep their brain, body and heart as healthy as possible,” said Mr Martin.

* For more information go to www.alzheimer.ie

Key figures

There are more than 41,700 people living with dementia in Ireland.

* That number is expected to rise to 147,000 by 2041.

* There are 50,000 family carers caring for someone with dementia in Ireland.

* Approximately 4,000 cases of dementia are identified in Ireland each year.

* The number of dependent older people worldwide will increase from 101m in 2010 to 277m by 2050.