Globally, people with dementia still face significant social stigma, leading to feelings of isolation and marginalization. This is the conclusion of the World Alzheimer Report 2012, released today by the umbrella group Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI). The report, which focused exclusively on stigma, is freely available for download. ADI surveyed about 2,500 dementia patients and caregivers in more than 50 countries, with dementia patients making up less than 10 percent of the total. Of the respondents with dementia, about half had Alzheimer’s disease, and almost half were under the age of 65. Those surveyed reported that stigma remains a major concern. Three-quarters of those with dementia and two-thirds of carers said that other people perceive those with dementia negatively. About 25 percent of dementia patients conceal their diagnosis, and 40 percent said they no longer take part in many activities of everyday life.
ADI’s report emphasizes the importance of better educating the public about dementia and increasing awareness of the disease. Report coauthors Mary Mittelman at NYU Langone Medical Center, New York City, and Nicole Batsch, King’s College London, U.K., also encourage people with dementia to speak out about their experiences. In a press release, Batsch was quoted as saying, “Stigma remains a barrier to making progress in all other dementia initiatives, such as improving care and support for people with dementia and family carers, and funding for research.” The findings agree with the results of an international survey of physicians commissioned by Eli Lilly and Company and released September 19, which also identified stigma as a pressing issue (see ARF related news story).—Madolyn Bowman Rogers.
Kwa ujumla, watu wenye dementia bado wanakabiliwa na dharau kubwa ya kijamii, na kusababisha hisia za kutengwa na kutengwa. Hii ni matokeo ya ripoti ya Alzheimer ya Dunia ya 2012, iliyotolewa leo na kikundi cha umbrella cha Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI). Ripoti hiyo, ambayo ilikazia tu uchongezi, inapatikana kwa uhuru kwa ajili ya kupakuliwa. Katika utafiti huo, wataalamu wa afya waliwahoji wagonjwa wa dementia na watunzaji katika nchi zaidi ya 50, na wagonjwa wa dementia walifanya chini ya asilimia 10 ya jumla. Kati ya wale waliojibu maswali hayo, karibu nusu walikuwa na ugonjwa wa Alzheimer na karibu nusu walikuwa chini ya umri wa miaka 65. Wale waliohojiwa waliripoti kwamba uchongezi unabaki kuwa jambo la kuogopesha sana. Kati ya watu watatu kati ya wanne walio na dementia na thuluthi mbili ya walezi walisema kuwa watu wengine wanawaona wale walio na dementia vibaya. Karibu asilimia 25 ya wagonjwa wa dementia huficha utambuzi wao, na asilimia 40 wanasema hawajihusishi tena na shughuli nyingi za maisha ya kila siku. Ripoti ya ADI inasisitiza umuhimu wa kuelimisha umma vizuri juu ya dementia na kuongeza ufahamu wa ugonjwa huo. Mary Mittenman, Mkurugenzi wa Kituo cha Matibabu cha NYU Langone, na Nicole Batsch, Mkurugenzi wa Chuo Kikuu cha King's College London, pia wanahimiza watu wenye ugonjwa wa akili kuzungumza juu ya uzoefu wao. "Batsch alisema: ""Stigma bado ni kizuizi cha kufanya maendeleo katika mipango mingine yote ya dementia, kama vile kuboresha huduma na msaada kwa watu wenye dementia na watunzaji wa familia, na ufadhili wa utafiti."" - Madeleine Bowman Rogers, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD, MD."