Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2030, every sixth individual in the world will be aged 60 years or older, with two-thirds residing in low-to middle-income countries (LMICs).This demographic transition will also be seen among patients with dementia, the majority of whom are expected to reside in LMICs.Currently, 57 million people are affected by dementia, and the numbers are expected to triple by 2050.1 Dementia is the seventh leading cause of death.Among all geriatric illnesses, it is responsible for the highest rates of disability and loss of functionality, affecting not only the lives of individuals but also their families.Moreover, treatment efficacy remains mild to moderate.2,3 In response to the increasing global burden, the WHO declared dementia a public health priority.4 In 2017, the Lancet Commission on Dementia also identified risk factors, prevention, and management strategies.5 Data on dementia in Pakistan remains limited, with numbers ranging from 200,000 to 400,000 individuals.6 With the high prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, 7 numbers are expected to rise with increasing life expectancy.Yet, dementia remains under-recognised, especially in its early stages, 8 under-researched, and under-prioritised in our healthcare system.There are many reasons for this.It is a common misconception that dementia is part of normal aging.There is a lack of understanding of its symptomatology.Many family members or caregivers assume that preservation of long-term memory negates the presence of dementia.Our healthcare system is burdened with communicable and non-communicable illnesses.With limited geriatric expertise, healthcare providers fail to prioritise the declining memory of older adults, which is identified later, thereby limiting intervention efficacy.The consequences of late diagnosis are profound: falls, medication errors, poor nutrition, and social withdrawal.Caregivers, often untrained and unsupported, experience high levels of stress, depression, and financial burden.
Author: Saniya Raghib Sabzwari
Institution: Aga Khan University Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414980027
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