Abstract
Dementia and memory loss have a close association with diseases like Alzheimer’s characterized by short term memory loss and
repetitive questions whereas long term memory remains intact1
. In developing societies like Pakistan Dementia associated with
Alzheimer’s and aging is considered a stigma. According to World Health Organization (WHO) there are 47 million suffering from
dementia and the number is anticipated to cross the 75 million by the year 20302
. Increase in life expectancy (longevity dividend)
due to improved healthcare is projected to increase the fiscal load on an overburdened healthcare system on account of dementia2
.
With the projected increase in global dementia population to 75 million in 2030, especially due to increase in ageing population in
the developing low and middle income countries3
, the estimated global cost on account of dementia will be two trillion US dollars4
.
According to Wimo et al, with a dementia prevalence of 38% in developed countries, resulting in consumption of 92% of costs for
dementia, this has assumed importance as expected increase in life expectancy in developing countries will become a challenge2
.
Even more exacerbating is the fact that 50 % of dementia cases are being diagnosed in higher income countries while only
approximately 10% receive diagnosis in low and middle income countries (LMIC’s)5
.
Nazia Mumtaz, Ghulam Saqulain. (2019) Dementia and creative ageing health care policy, Isra Medical Journal, Volume 11, Issue 4 (Part-B).
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