Sunday 24 / November / 2024
Muscat: By 2050, 124,800 people are expected to suffer from dementia in Oman. Almost 40 percent of projected dementia cases could be delayed or even avoided by addressing just 12 risk factors, says Oman Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).
Despite advances in treatment, Oman Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) warn that risk reduction remains the best prevention tool.
Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia.
Oman Alzheimer’s Society says tackling dementia risk factors for individuals, both before and after diagnosis, could reduce and slow down the oncoming 124,800 projected dementia cases by 2050 in a way that is accessible and affordable for people across the globe.
Oman Alzheimer’s Society and ADI are calling on governments to urgently fund more research on risk reduction, introduce strategies, education, and support services, to delay or prevent up to 55 million of the global projected 139 million cases of dementia by 2050.
“It’s never too early, and it’s never too late to reduce dementia risk,” says Dr Hamed Al Sinawi, Chairman of Oman Alzheimer’s Society.
In Oman, 11,900 people were suffering from dementia in 2019,and it’s projected to reach 124, 800 by 2050.
Oman Alzheimer’s Society, the national Alzheimer Society of Oman and a member of ADI, the federation of national Alzheimer and dementia have called on governments around the world to urgently fund dementia risk-reduction research, education, and support services and requested governments to make risk reduction a core element of National Dementia Plans.
“Dementia risk reduction can prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent the onset of dementia.
It’s never too early or too late to reduce your risk of developing dementia, ” says Oman Alzheimer’s Society
There are many proven risk factors for dementia, many of which individuals have a degree of personal control over. These include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, infrequent social contact, head injuries, and conditions including diabetes, hearing loss, depression, obesity, and hypertension.
The remaining risk factors include air pollution and restricted access to early education, which governments are responsible for addressing.
Furthermore, governments are responsible for providing other services that can help improve the lives of those living with dementia, such as affordable access to health and long-term care, and mental health services.
Moreover, many governments have already agreed to prioritise dementia risk reduction and support for those living with dementia and their carers through their commitment to the WHO Global Action Plan on the public health response to dementia. Yet, evidence suggests that many have forgotten or ignored this commitment.
“We are calling on governments worldwide to invest in both research and support services, to reduce dementia risk, and to invest in risk reduction awareness campaigns; clear, persuasive campaigns that cut through the noise and confusion of much of the healthcare messaging,” says Barbarino, CEO of Alzheimer’s Disease International.
“This is a critical step, in the absence of treatment or a cure, to prevent as many cases as possible. We must ensure populations are aware of dementia risk-reduction strategies, at all ages, and have access to necessary information, advice, and support services.”
Advances in dementia drug
This year there have been many advances in potential dementia drug therapies that have brought hope to many people living with dementia. However, these treatments may not be suitable or available for every person living with dementia.
Only 40 governments worldwide have so far developed national dementia plans, with even fewer of these including risk reduction strategies. As a result, governments are missing out on a vital tool to delay or prevent future cases.
Although individuals can implement lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of developing dementia or slow the progress of dementia, governments have a clear role to play in reducing societal risk.
The funding of such initiatives may even cross over with other governmental goals such as reducing smoking and obesity rates, addressing mental health issues such as depression, or improving access to hearing aids, the use of which has been shown to slow cognitive decline in those experiencing hearing loss.
“So often, those who have been diagnosed with dementia tell us they were unaware that there are modifiable risk factors for dementia and wish they knew how to reduce the risk much earlier in life. Often, it isn’t until after diagnosis that they realize how practical dementia prevention can be both for preventing or delaying the onset, but also to potentially slow the progression of the condition,” says Barbarino.
Dementia is a condition that usually affects people aged over 65 and the risk increases as the person grows older.
According to international estimates, there are around 55 million people living with dementia worldwide in 2020, the number is projected to reach 153 million in 2050.
