Page 8 - Ageing and Dementia: A compendium of New Zealand research literature

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Dr. Kathy Peri,
School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences,
University of Auckland, Auckland.
Dementia including Alzheimer’s disease is purported as one of the biggest global health challenges of
this century. Currently, worldwide it is estimated that 44 million people are living with dementia.
Dementia is a disease of ageing with the prevalence of 1-2% in those 65-74 years of age and increasing
to 40% in people over 90 years of age (Treves & Korczyn, 2012). Over 41,000 New Zealanders are
currently living with dementia pre and this will almost double to 75,000 people by 2026. Alzheimer's
disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases. Other major
forms include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and a group of diseases that contribute to
frontotemporal dementia (degeneration of the frontal lobe of the brain). The boundaries between
different forms of dementia are indistinct and mixed forms often co-exist.
Dementia as a neurodegenerative disorder generally considered a syndrome caused by a number of
progressive symptoms that can affect memory, thinking, behaviour and eventually the ability to perform
everyday activities. It is also associated with high levels of disability and dependence. It can be
overwhelming not only for the people who experience it, but also for their caregivers and families. The
impact of dementia on caregivers, family and societies can be physical, psychological, social and
economic implications. Evidence has shown the significant social and economic implications in terms of
direct medical costs, direct social costs and the costs of informal care. In 2010, the total global societal
costs of dementia were estimated to be US$ 604 billion.
Dementia affects each person in a different way, depending upon the impact of the disease. Research in
the last 30 years has led to an improved understanding of what dementia is, who gets it, and how it
develops and affects the brain. This work is beginning to pay off with better diagnostic techniques,
improved treatments, and even potential ways of preventing these diseases.
While treatments cannot reverse or halt disease progression, patients can benefit to some extent from
treatment with available medications and other measures, such as cognitive training. Drugs to
specifically treat Alzheimer’s disease and some other progressive dementias can improve symptoms and
slow the disease progress. This may improve the patient's quality of life, ease the burden on caregivers,
and/or delay admission to a nursing home. Many people with dementia, particularly those in the early
stages, often benefit from practicing tasks designed to improve performance in specific aspects of
cognitive functioning. For example, people can sometimes be taught to use memory aids, such as note
taking, keeping a diary, etc.
Current international research promises to improve the lives of people affected by the dementias which
may eventually lead to ways of preventing or curing these disorders. Research identifying modifiable risk