Women and Dementia: A global research overview
June 5 2015This report published by Alzheimer’s Disease International explores the main issues affecting women in relation to dementia from an international perspective.
The report examines the effect of gender on three specific groups:
- women living with dementia
- women caring for people with dementia in a professional caring role, and
- women undertaking an informal caregiving role for someone with dementia.
The report also focuses on cross-cutting issues, including factors affecting women in low and middle income countries; family structures and kinship; and the effects of migration.
Download the full report from the Alzheimer’s Disease International website at https://www.alz.co.uk/women-and-dementia
The report concludes that across all regions of the world, dementia disproportionately affects women. More women live with dementia than men. The prevalence is higher for women than for men and women are more at risk of developing dementia and the symptoms they live with are more severe.
The report recommends that:
- All countries need to understand the current and predicted prevalence and acknowledge that dementia disproportionately affects women. Accordingly, policy makers should review what support is currently available and what is required to meet future needs.
- There is also a need for skilled care competencies for health and care staff and professionals working with people living with dementia with complex needs and co-morbidities.
- In all regions people should be able to access appropriate information and support in place, enabling women across the world to continue to provide care, and to feel cared for themselves.