Dementia Facts and Stats Everyone Should Know | The Doctor Weighs In

By: Kat Helgeson

Dementia affects people around the world and is becoming more common every year. Here are a few surprising facts about the condition.

Dementia is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a loss of neurons and a decline in cognitive function. Although Alzheimer’s Disease is perhaps the best known of the dementias, there are actually many different types of dementia each with its own pathophysiology.

Dementia typically occurs in older people, however, it is not a “normal” part of aging. It affects people around the world and, unfortunately, is becoming more common every year.

Dementia interferes many of activities of daily living, including memory, thinking, and social capabilities. The impact on daily life can range from mild to severe depending on the individual.

Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for dementia.

Dementia stats

Here are a few statistics about the condition that may surprise you:

• Nearly 50 million people worldwide live with dementia. That number is expected to increase to 82 million by 2030 and 152 million by 2050.1