Caregivers such as myself see Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia up close and personal.
It has a face. The face of someone we love.
The effects on us and the ones we care for are devastating on an individual level. They can also be joyful and healing as pointed out here, and pockets of hope exist.
But the big picture captured in the MBA Healthcare Management infographic below is frightening because of the sheer size of the problem and the healthcare challenge it presents globally.
Some of the numbers:
- 135 million people are expected to have the disease by 2050
- Right now, a new case somewhere in the world every 4 seconds
- Only 10% of countries have a plan on how to deal with the disease
For the record, I strongly oppose the inappropriate use of antipsychotic drugs to sedate people with dementia. Other than that, this infographic is useful. Take a closer look:
My Alzheimer's Story 