Dementia cases in Zimbabwe could triple by 2050

AS the world marks World Alzheimer’s Month this September, Zimbabwe is being urged to strengthen early diagnosis and support systems for people living with dementia as the country grapples with a growing, yet often under-recognised, health challenge.

The Zimbabwe Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Association (Zarda) says early diagnosis can help people living with dementia and their families access treatment, care and support, while also confronting the stigma that continues to surround the condition.

World Alzheimer’s Month is an international campaign observed every September to raise awareness about dementia and challenge misconceptions associated with the condition.

World Alzheimer’s Day is commemorated annually on September 21.

This year’s campaign is being held under the theme: “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters.”

Zarda chairperson Ms Kudzai Mpunzwana said the campaign would place particular emphasis on the importance of timely diagnosis while highlighting emerging at-risk groups and individuals who may be living with the condition before symptoms become evident.

“This September, we will seek to tackle the persistent stigma and discrimination surrounding dementia by shining a spotlight on the timely and important issue of early diagnosis under the theme:

‘The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters’,” she said.

“The campaign will seek to raise awareness of the benefits that a diagnosis can provide to those living with the condition, alongside carers and the wider society. As research advances, we will also highlight the emerging at-risk groups and pre-symptomatic individuals.”

A major misconception that Zarda is seeking to dispel is the belief that dementia is an inevitable part of ageing.

Dementia is not a normal consequence of growing older. It is caused by diseases that damage brain cells and affect memory, thinking, behaviour and a person’s ability to carry out everyday activities.

For families, obtaining a diagnosis can therefore be an important first step towards understanding the condition and planning for the future.

A diagnosis can open the door to a range of treatment, care and support options, including both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. However, access to diagnosis and post-diagnosis support remains inadequate in many parts of the world, particularly in low and middle-income countries.

Zimbabwe faces additional challenges.

The country has yet to adopt a national dementia strategy, while access to specialised services remains limited in public health institutions.

Cultural beliefs that attribute dementia to non-clinical causes can also fuel stigma and delay the seeking of medical assistance.

The issue has increasingly found its way into Parliament, with senators and legislators calling for a comprehensive national dementia strategy to address what has been described as a growing

“silent epidemic” among older persons.

National dementia plans are regarded as a key tool for governments seeking to develop coordinated responses to dementia, covering diagnosis, treatment, care, research, awareness and support for caregivers.

Yet, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International, only 50 of the world’s 195 countries have national dementia plans.

The scale of the challenge is reflected in Zimbabwe’s own projections.

Research by Alzheimer’s Disease International estimated that 27 377 people in Zimbabwe were living with dementia in 2018. The figure is projected to increase by 198 percent by 2050.

The actual burden is, however, believed to be considerably higher, with available data likely understating the prevalence of dementia because of limited diagnosis and reporting.

Zimbabwe has a population of about 17 million people and a relatively young median age of 18,1 years. Despite this youthful demographic profile, an ageing population means dementia is becoming an increasingly important public health concern.

Globally, more than 55 million people are living with dementia, with someone developing the condition approximately every three seconds. The number is projected to rise to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050.

Dementia is also expected to become the third leading cause of death globally by 2040, while its economic burden, estimated at US$1,3 trillion annually, is expected to more than double by 2030.
Beyond the statistics lies another often overlooked dimension of dementia: the burden carried by families and caregivers.

Globally, unpaid informal care provided to people living with dementia is equivalent to the work of about 67 million full-time workers.

Women shoulder a disproportionate share of this responsibility, accounting for around two-thirds of primary caregivers.

The burden is particularly pronounced in low and middle-income countries, which are expected to account for 71 percent of global dementia cases by 2050.

Two-thirds of people living with dementia are also women.

In low and middle-income countries, about 90 percent of dementia care takes place in the home, making family support systems central to the well-being of those living with the condition.

Zarda says effective dementia care must therefore extend beyond medication and clinical interventions.

Social support, dementia-friendly environments, social activities, reminiscence therapy, rehabilitation and respite care can help maximise independence and improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and their carers.

A diagnosis, while potentially difficult for individuals and families to receive, can also provide an opportunity to prepare and make informed decisions.

Evidence suggests that when people living with dementia and their families are adequately prepared and supported, the initial feelings of shock, anger and grief can be accompanied by reassurance and empowerment.

The global campaign is therefore seeking to shift the conversation away from fear and silence towards knowledge, early intervention and support.

The issue is particularly urgent as research into dementia continues to evolve, including efforts to better understand risk factors and identify individuals who may be at risk before clear symptoms emerge.

Another major concern is stigma.
Research cited by Alzheimer’s disease International indicates that 88 percent of people living with dementia report experiencing discrimination.

At the same time, more than 90 percent of carers and members of the public surveyed said they would be encouraged to seek a diagnosis if a disease-modifying treatment for dementia became available.

For Zimbabwe, these findings reinforce the need to expand public understanding of dementia while strengthening the country’s capacity to diagnose and support those affected.

As World Alzheimer’s Month unfolds, Zarda is calling on individuals, organisations and institutions to participate in awareness activities and help challenge the misconceptions that continue to isolate people living with dementia.

The campaign’s message is simple but profound: knowing earlier creates more opportunities to act.

For Zimbabwe, where dementia cases are projected to almost triple by 2050, that message could not be more timely.