Dementia And Its Effect On The Function Of The Brain

Dementia is a term used to describe the symptoms of a number of illnesses which effect the function of the brain. It is an umbrella term describing the progressive decline in a person’s cognitive ability. The type and severity of symptoms varies with each type of dementia and is usually has a gradual onset, is progressive and irreversible. (1) Research conducted by the Australian government in 2011, estimated that 298,000 Australians have been diagnosed with dementia and based on current projections, this number will exceed 400,000 by 2020. (1) Although forecast methods vary, the number of people with dementia is expected to triple between 2011 and 2050 and is estimated to reach approximately 900,000 by 2050. (1) In 2013, 10,933 people died from dementia, making it the second leading underlying cause of death in Australians, accounting for 7.4% of deaths in that year. This number has gradually increased by 32% since 2009. (2) Dementia does not only impact the people with symptoms and it also disturbs the people who must care for the person. It is estimated that 1.2 million people are involved in the care of people with dementia. It has a financial burden on the Australian economy $4.9 billion in 2009-10. (1) Globally, the World Health Organisation reports there are approximately 47.5 million people who have been diagnosed with a form of dementia and there are 7.7 million new cases each year. The number of people effected internationally is estimated to triple by 2050 toShow MoreRelatedAlzheimer s Disease : The Most Common Form Of Dementia1427 Words   |  6 PagesDementia, known as one of the world s current pandemics, is estimated to be the fourth most common cause of death in the developed country, second only to cardiovascular, cerebrovascular diseases and cancer. With the aging population, dementia has gradually become a serious threat to the health of the elderly people in Australia. 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