This article discusses the increasing prevalence of dementia globally, highlighting the specific concerns surrounding frontotemporal dementia (FTD) following Bruce Willis' recent diagnosis. It explores the impact of dementia on individuals, families, and the economy, emphasizing the need for early detection and support.
Currently, it's estimated that 982,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, a figure expected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. The global situation is also set to worsen significantly, with the World Health Organisation predicting cases will triple by 2050. The recent diagnosis of Hollywood actor Bruce Willis with frontotemporal dementia ( FTD ), a less well-known form of the disease that affects behaviour and language, has brought increased public attention to the condition.
According to the NHS, dementia primarily affects older individuals, with the risk of developing the disease roughly doubling every five years after the age of 65. However, some people can develop dementia earlier, which presents unique challenges for the individual, their carer, and their family. In England alone, there are approximately 540,000 carers for people with dementia. It's estimated that one in three people will care for someone with dementia in their lifetime. Half of these carers are employed, and it's believed that around 66,000 people have already reduced their working hours to care for a family member, while 50,000 people have left work entirely. The economic cost associated with dementia is substantial, estimated at £23 billion a year and predicted to triple by 2040. This exceeds the costs of cancer, heart disease, and stroke, reports Surrey Live. Stewart Mcginn, the Managing Director of Baycroft Care Homes, has underscored the critical need for awareness of early symptoms of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), noting: 'FTD is a much less common type of dementia which also causes problems with behaviours and language, and typically is diagnosed in people from the age of 45 and up.' He further stated, 'FTD is a slow and progressive disease and is sometimes initially misdiagnosed with schizophrenia, Alzheimer's or aphasia.' Mcginn emphasised that FTD primarily impacts areas of the brain involved with personality, behaviour, and language—the frontal and temple lobe
DEMENCIA FTD HEALTH CARE ECONOMICS
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