The forgotten epidemic

It's being referred to as the forgotten epidemic— dementia.
I have taken more interest in this public health crisis in recent months after having a family member diagnosed with the early stages of dementia.
I have also interviewed some local families about how Alzheimer’s has impacted their families and it’s terrifying to hear their accounts of what happens to their loved ones.
Last month a special walk took place to help families impacted by dementia and Alzheimer’s in Steele County. The effort raised almost $40,000.
During this year’s virtual walk held because of COVID-19, 28 teams and 126 people walked in their own neighborhoods. “It takes a community to produce the Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s even when the walk needs to move to a virtual and interactive format,” said Jennifer O’Donnell of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Recently, I came across a report calling dementia a global emergency with no way to sustainably care for those afflicted. More people live with it than can be looked after humanely. What’s even more troubling and depressing is that there is no cure in the offing. And even worse no society has devised a sustainable way to provide and pay for the care that people with it will need.
Dementia often starts innocently enough with forgetfulness and a mild loss of cognitive functioning. But as it advances, people lose the ability to look after themselves, and many require round-the-clock care long before they die.
Currently, about 50 million people around the world have the condition and it is expected to skyrocket to 150 million within 30 years.
Governments need to act now to ease the social and economic harm from the growing prevalence of dementia. It’s at risk of being left behind as the current pandemic sucks away many resources. They also need to think about long-term care for people with dementia. Of course, the question most often asked is how to pay for it.
But that’s not the only problem. Another major consideration is who will provide the care. Looking after people with dementia requires people. The job is usually classified as low-skilled and is often poorly paid. It needs to be better rewarded and more highly regarded at the very least.
We are at a war on many fronts. You can add dementia to that list.
I hope governments and others will go in hot pursuit of remembering what has become the forgotten epidemic so that we can gracefully care for those who need it most.