Warning of fourfold rise in dementia

[starlooker]

Warning of fourfold rise in dementia
ADELE HORIN AND LOUISE HALL
September 1, 2009


THE number of Australians with dementia will quadruple by 2050, rising from 245,000 today to 1.1 million, with dire consequences for the health and aged-care systems, a report says.

More than 75,000 baby boomers, the first of whom turn 65 next year, will have dementia by 2020 unless there are significant medical breakthroughs.

The report, by Access Economics, was commissioned by Alzheimer's Australia, and uses new census data and other evidence to revise up by 55 per cent dementia projections made four years ago.

It points to huge shortages of people in coming decades - in families and the workforce - able to care for the predicted numbers of people with dementia.

''This report makes clear that the dementia epidemic is dramatically worse than we thought. It's a devastating wake-up call to everyone involved in health-care planning,'' the chief executive of Alzheimer's Australia NSW, John Watkins, said.

Every week more than 1300 cases were diagnosed, the report said. By 2030 this was predicted to rise to 3600, and by 2050 about 7400 new cases a week were expected. Many more people were likely to have some form of cognitive impairment that did not reach the dementia threshold.

Dementia is already the single leading cause of disability in Australians aged 65 and over. The ageing of the population is the main driver, with the number of Australians over 60 rising from 4 million to 10 million by 2050, the report shows. Also, the rate of dementia in the population is higher than was previously thought.

The chief executive officer of Alzheimer's Australia, Glenn Rees, said the study was not alarmist but was based on ''middle of the road'' assumptions.

The report's author, Lynne Pezzullo, said that ''within our lifetime'' dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases would overtake disorders such as cancer and cardiovascular disease as the major threats to health and quality of life.

But the report shows that the picture need not be quite so grim if more people exercised, stopped smoking, and controlled their blood pressure.

source: http://www.smh.com.au/national/warning-of-fourfold-rise-in-dementia-20090831-f5cq.html

[jjjnettie]

It's a pretty grim outlook.
But we'd all be better off if we followed the advise at the end.

[starlooker]

I read somewhere that if people keep their minds active by reading, and playing puzzles(crosswords etc), that they can stave of dimentia.

But I think I also read a report(study) that refuted the above.

In any event, I still think an active mind is a sharp mind, and we will all need out wits about us come old age.

[erick]

"But the report shows that the picture need not be quite so grim if more people:-

exercised, tick

stopped smoking, tick, never did

and controlled their blood pressure." one magic tablet a day does it

but my short term memory is still getting worse - I still cannot remember people's names, telephone numbers and street names that I just looked up - just like my Mum in her later life :(

I bought a book on improving my memory :) if only I could remember where I put it? :sadeyes:

[Baron von Richthofen]

There is nothing wrong with dementia, you get to met new people every day
What will be will be and there nothing you can do until they start using stem cells therapy, it is 100% affective

[toryglen-boy]

Dopeamine injections seem to be a real cure, but i dont want to think about a massive syringe going into my head ...

:screwy:

[dpastern]

I have a strong suspicion that dementia is caused by a lack of thinking, and will be one day linked to our technology increases. Consider kids no longer use their brains for basic maths, but use a calculator instead. I'm sure that I could go to some year 6 kids and ask what's 12 squared and they'd give me a blank look! Reliance on technology is not good for our species.

I also think that excessive drugs, alcohol, pollution, chemically and genetically modified foodstuffs are not doing us any good either.

Dave

[Karls48]

I used to have one of those, hmmm how you call it - a yeah dimension. But I went to the doctor and he gave me some – hmmm how you call it - its kind of round and white – ah yes – pills. I take one twice a week. Every Monday and April. I’m OK now.

[Kindred Spirit]

Mmmm, Helo All, it's been a while since I last logged on and I'm sure I've missed a lot! I've been diagnosed with Meniere's and though I haven't lost many marbles I do lose my balance occasionally. Hubby says I'm a dizzy blonde (I'm not really blonde)! It curtails a lot of fun stuff, but life is 10% what happens and 90% how we react to it and a sence of humour is vital. So today is a good day and I just wanted to say Hi!

[jamiep]

Everybody seems to have forgotten the fact that we're all actually living longer - and you do have to die of something!

Medical science has come a long way, and we're now very good at fixing, repairing and prolonging peoples lives, but we still know very little about the brain.

Info on how these things are caused and how to either fix or prevent them occuring will come in time, but I suspect the rise in cases is perhaps due to the fact that we're living past ages, that we previously would not have....

my 2c anyway.

Jamie

[Kindred Spirit]

I think you're right there I am an Operating room nurse when I'm well and we repair stuff all the time. Friends of mine in Neuro say there are surgical treatments for dementia and they are getting better all the time.
Used to be women had a high chance of dying in childbirth today that number is much lower, except in third world countries...it's gotta be the techy stuff! Expensive! Money! The common denominator!:hi:

[dpastern]

Jamie - good point!

Dave

[avandonk]

Degenerative brain diseases are inevitable as you get older.

Use it or lose it is quite valid.

Alzheimers is different as it is a chain reaction of a change in folding of a brain protein we all have. It is related to mad cow disease and others.

We do not really understand it all yet.

There are many afflictions that have this problem. One amino acid change in some brain protein molecules can lead to the most appalling consequences.

Your best bet is to enjoy life while you can. We are all just sperm and ova carriers and once they have met we become superfluous. Ok after we pay for their education!

As Rimmer would say 'it is quite simple REALLY!'

Bert

[glenc]

I heard that on the news today but can't remember what they said. :)

[starlooker]

Erick, if you are concerned, then may I suggest getting professional help, and not relying on a book(self help).

Maybe have some type of analysis done, to get a baseline, and then have another one done down the track, to see if there is any deteoriation. :)

[starlooker]

I agree, and hi Luise. :)

[Kindred Spirit]

Helo! I'm multitasking ... talking to a friend on Facebook, watching "how to buy a telescope" on Youtube as well as signed in here. I have to say "use it or lose it" is good advice at any age. Now multi tasking is not always efficient but the mental activity is healthy. Operating room nurses never die, they just lose count! ( a reference to the fact we have to count all our instruments and sponges before during and after an operation). My Dear old Dad was a rock hound and he loved the saying "Rock hounds never die they just petrify!" He had degenerative vascular disease of the brain. Aka dementia. He had a full life and was sorely missed, that is what I hope to have! Cheers All, Happy Skies!

[kinetic]

Three old blokes living together in a house.

First guy says,"I think I will go and have a bath", and he sets off to
go run a bath upstairs.

Five minutes later the other two hear him call out,"hey you blokes,
was I getting in this bath or getting out of it ?"

Second bloke says," I'll sort this out mate", and he sets off
up the stairs to go sort him out.

He gets halfway up the stairs and freezes and says, " hey, was I going up
these stairs or coming down them ?"

Third bloke shakes his head in disbelief and says, "geez you blokes, I'm
sure glad I'm not as bad as you two silly bast---ds, touch wood", as he
taps on the coffee table with his knuckles, and then says.....

"is that someone at the door ? "

Steve:)

[matt]

I am fascinated by brain science.

We talk about the importance of space travel and the importance of understanding the greater universe but I think there are equally amazing discoveries still to be made about the human brain. Equally, its potential.

I believe there are many unimagined wonders still be discovered in this inner frontier. Many surprises lay in store, I suspect.

[Kindred Spirit]

Stress and lack of sleep can make us think we're losing our marbles...go for the simple problems first before thinking the worst. Now if you've spent nights stargazing and getting frustrated with clouds or equipment, a bit of brain fuzz can be expected. ;)

[Kindred Spirit]

Strangely, we have learned heaps from those affected with aquired brain injuries. It's as if there is balance in the universe after all. Those things we fear and dread are sometimes those things that teach us the most...:hi:

[Starkler]

Interesting considering I have seen a few sources say that smoking actually reduces the risk of alzheimers disease.

[Alchemy]

they say if you dont use it you lose it, .... true for muscle strength, bone density, and other things. maybee also true in some part for the brain.

2 things... aluminium (ie pots to cook in). supposed to cause alzheimers.
coffee several cups a day supposed to help.

or so ive heard.

[jjjnettie]

:lol: Sure it does, but only because you don't live long enough to get alzheimers. :rofl:

[erick]

Duc, you are right. I'll add it to the list for next Dr's visit.

[tlgerdes]

Just slap your forehead and say CRAFT!


Can't
Remember
A
F....ing
Thing

[DJDD]

:lol::thumbsup:
that was my thought, too.

[DJDD]

aluminium in pots does not lead to alzheimers.

use it or lose- possibly true. I have taken up a Grad Dip in Japanese at uni hoping that it will help... :)

[GeoffW1]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

I believe it about a 4 fold increase though. I thought I was the only one affected in my golf foursome. I was keeping quiet about it until I realised all the others are demented as well.

We can never find our golf balls.

Cheers

[Redshift]

I'm learning Japanese as well. こんばんは。I think that learning a new language really stimulates the mind and improves mental function. But, unfortunately I think dementia may be disease related, whatever the cause, so perhaps anyone could get it.

[DJDD]

がんばって。

I think learning a language has helped. I haven't lost my keys in ages! :lol: