Dementia Inequalities

Dementia is an umbrella term to describe a condition where a person experiences acquired cognitive decline, accompanied by functional impairment.

 

It is caused by a number of disease processes in the brain and the symptoms can vary from person to person. Dementia can cause difficulties for the person living with dementia as well as their family and friends and it is associated with large health and social care costs.

 

As with any condition, it is important that dementia is diagnosed in an accurate and timely manner.

 

Being diagnosed earlier in the illness can mean that the person with dementia and their family get the support that they need and can plan for the future. Support and care after a diagnosis are also important, and these should be tailored to the needs of the person living with dementia.

 

Unfortunately, there are a number of inequalities in dementia that mean that not everyone gets the same standard of diagnosis and care. Inequalities exist relating to the age and sex of the person with dementia, their ethnicity, socioeconomic status, sexuality, type of dementia, religion, and presence of disabilities.

 

These can be inequalities in dementia prevention, diagnosis, post-diagnostic support and research participation.

 

This website is dedicated to highlighting inequalities, as well as some of the excellent work being done to counteract these. This site is not intended to be a source of support or advice for someone who has dementia or is supporting someone with dementia. If you need advice and support, please consider the Alzheimer’s Society website or Alzheimer’s Research UK or similar organisations in your home country.