The Caring Corner®
Right Behind Poland
If dementia were a country, it would be the world’s 21st largest economy! This would place it between Poland and Saudi Arabia.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that the annual cost of dementia care in 2010 was $604 billion, and that this will double to $1.2 trillion by 2050.
Of course, these numbers do not take into account the “soft” costs associated with such a disease. Family members lose wages when they need to take loved ones to appointments or provide care. A lot of money is spent on making homes safer for seniors… things like grab bars, hand rails, shower stools, etc.
Finally, the G8 is starting to recognize this as a disease that threatens as much as AIDS did. Governments are starting to address this in a more organized fashion, and directing resources that can help bring about solutions. For the meantime, however the best cure is prevention through a healthy lifestyle that includes diet, exercise and adequate rest.
