Younger persons being diagnosed with Dementia
From left: Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett; President of the Barbados Alzheimer’s Association, Pamelia Brereton; and Chairperson of the National Committee on Ageing, Dame MaizieBarker-Welch, among others in attendance at the church service to mark World Alzheimer’s Month at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church yesterday.
By:
Patricia Thangaraj
Approximately 4 077 in Barbados are living with dementia.
This is according to Minister of Social Care, Constituency Empowerment and Community Development, Steven Blackett, who delivered remarks at the church service to mark World Alzheimer’s Month at Our Lady Queen of the Universe Catholic Church on Sunday.
Furthermore, this number is likely to increase as this island grapples with an ageing population as well as disturbing data which reveals that younger persons are becoming affected with this condition, with some as early as in their 40s and 50s being diagnosed.
“Here in Barbados, the estimated number of persons suffering from this ailment is 4 077 and that number is likely to rise due to our increasingly ageing society. The greatest risk factor associated with the development of dementia is age, but there are alarming incidences of persons being diagnosed as early as in their 40s and 50s.”
Meanwhile, across the globe, the figure stands at close to 50 million persons living with this condition and this figure is also likely to rise with the majority of the demographics coming from the lower and middle-income brackets, stated the Minister of Social Care.
“To date there are approximately 47 million people around the globe suffering from dementia. However, by 2050, it is anticipated that these numbers will increase to 131.5 million with 68 per cent of those affected being found in the low- and middle-income brackets of their respective countries. Every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia.”
The Barbados Alzheimer’s Association recognises the challenges associated with this condition, not just for the sufferers, but also for the caregivers and as a result, they continue to offer programmes catering to their needs, said Blackett.
“The Barbados Alzheimer’s Association continues to educate Barbadians about Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The Association offers
a Participation Programme to persons who administer care to their loved ones at home and to those who work
in various institutions where persons with Alzheimer’s are accommodated,” he stated, adding that this initiative is now offered every month as opposed to only two months in a year.
“This programme, which was initially offered during the months of March and November but is now offered every month, also offers instruction to the caregivers on how to care for themselves. They have been included because it has been recognised that the
care of loved ones with dementia can be a demanding and stressful task and without adequate knowledge of the condition, caregivers can feel understandably helpless and hopeless.”
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