Image: Colourbox
In Austria alone, up to 130,000 people are currently affected by dementia; in 2050 there will be around 230,000. This is also due to the fact that people are getting older – dementia is clearly a disease of old age: in the 65 to 70 age group less than three percent suffer from Alzheimer’s dementia, at the age of 85 around 20 percent and from the age of 90 already 33 percent.
In order to be able to cope with these challenges, there is the Dementia Network in Upper Austria. In addition, there are regional service points and specialized offers in old people’s and nursing homes.
Rapid diagnosis helps
“Our goal is for people in Upper Austria to be able to live healthy and well into old age. Prevention and rapid diagnosis must also be of great importance in dementia,” said deputy governor and health officer Christine Haberlander (VP) at a press conference which presented the results of an Imas survey on the subject. According to this, 43 percent of all Upper Austrians over the age of 50 are directly or indirectly affected by this disease. “However, only one in five Upper Austrians over the age of 50 pays attention to their brain health,” said Paul Eiselsberg from Imas. 65 percent of all respondents expressed an interest in having their memory performance tested.
“The diagnosis of dementia turns the lives of those affected and their relatives upside down overnight. We don’t want to leave them alone, but support them with a wide range of offers,” said Social Provincial Councilor Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer.
Suspected of dementia?
At eleven dementia service centers in the state, there is the possibility of a clarification for those who notice changes in themselves or others that may indicate dementia (memory difficulties, orientation problems …). Psychologists conduct free tests, examining memory, expression and orientation skills. It quickly becomes clear whether the suspicion of dementia is confirmed or whether the concern was unfounded.
Source: Nachrichten
