World Alzheimer Report 2019

Attitudes to dementia

The World Alzheimer Report 2019 reveals the results of the largest attitudes to dementia survey ever undertaken, with almost 70,000 people across 155 countries and territories completing the survey.

The World Alzheimer Report 2019: Attitudes to dementia analyses findings of the world’s largest survey on attitudes to dementia, as well as expert essays and case studies from across the world.

The report reveals the results of the largest attitudes to dementia survey ever undertaken, with almost 70,000 people across 155 countries and territories completing the survey. It spans four demographic groups: people living with dementia, carers, healthcare practitioners and the general public. Analysis of the study, which collected responses from, was carried out by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Some of the key findings of the report include:
  • Almost 80% of the general public are concerned about developing dementia at some point and 1 in 4 people think that there is nothing we can do to prevent dementia
  • 35% of carers across the world said that they have hidden the diagnosis of dementia of a family member
  • Over 50% of carers globally say their health has suffered as a result of their caring responsibilities even whilst expressing positive sentiments about their role
  • Almost 62% of healthcare providers worldwide think that dementia is part of normal ageing
  • 40% of the general public think doctors and nurses ignore people with dementia

Expert essays and case studies from across the world contextualise the survey data. It concludes by providing some recommendations for governments, agencies, civil society, policy-makers and local governments, to improve the experiences of people living with dementia, their carers and loved ones, across the globe. This is a seminal piece of research and it is motivated by the belief that individuals with dementia should be able to access support and services without fear of stigmatisation.

A full list of contributors can be found on page 2 of the report.

ADI would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who completed the survey and helped to spread the word; to the London School of Economics (LSE), who ADI commissioned to create the survey; to all the volunteers who supported with translations into 32 languages; and to the contributors of the expert essays and case studies.

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