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Original poster

To find dementia statistics frightening

208 replies

Collins567 · 19/07/2023 08:24

Having done some reading yesterday , it was stated that approx 1 in 1000 under 65s will develop it. That's really quite a high number, pretty much one pupil from each high school roughly.
After 65, that number shoots up, I think it was 1 in 20, which is terrifying.
65 is really no age at all.
I am thinking about Fiona Phillips who has recently revealed her diagnosis, and I have known of a 56 year old lady with late-stage dementia.
I have worked in dementia care homes so know exactly what it is, I have seen a lot of things that wouldn't be very pleasant to describe.
It just seems like a bit of a lottery. My Grandma currently has it and my other grandma who is no longer with us was starting with it before she died at 84, she became vey paranoid.
As it's in the family, it makes me even more worried.
I don't smoke, don't drink, exercise and so on.
Does anyone else worry about this a lot? I know there are now treatments which are supposed to really slow the prognosis but still no cure.

OP posts:
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GenieGenealogy · 19/07/2023 20:01

Silvered · 19/07/2023 18:52

I wish I'd never clicked on this thread. The post has really fucking upset me. That somehow I should have been thankful for the fact that she had dementia and that I should have valued her death. Christ, some people have no fucking idea. The suffering she went through and the grief I am still carrying now.

People have this romantic idea about dementia, don't they? They have no idea how soul destroying it is to see your parent or loved one become a shell of the person they once were, and fail to recognise you, or their grandchildren. And that's before we get to the incontinence, paranoia, giving up your own life for months/years to care or even just be the person who gets the phone calls. It's a living hell not just for the person for dementia but for their family.

We had a horrendous last three years with my Dad and it was incredibly difficult for the whole family. A sudden heart attack or something is infinitely preferable and people who think dementia is just this gradual slipping away and being a bit forgetful are deluded.

Earlydancing · 19/07/2023 20:07

There's a very good bet I'll get it. I know doctors say the hereditary factor is very small, but I don't believe them.
My mum (only child) has it. Her mum had it. Her mum's mum had it. Her mum's sister had it. And her mum's sister's 2 children (her 1st cousins) had it. So it's,a pretty strong gene in the family so I can't help but thinking I'm next. I'm in my 60s and I'm making my plans now.

CatchItDerry · 19/07/2023 20:08

Haven’t read all the posts, but I believe there’s research showing that Alzheimer’s is linked to insulin resistance.
Sweden changed their diet advice not long ago to low carb/keto. It’ll be interesting to see if this has an impact on numbers over there.

LMNT · 19/07/2023 20:13

CatchItDerry · 19/07/2023 20:08

Haven’t read all the posts, but I believe there’s research showing that Alzheimer’s is linked to insulin resistance.
Sweden changed their diet advice not long ago to low carb/keto. It’ll be interesting to see if this has an impact on numbers over there.

Yes it’s type 3 diabetes and this is the work I do.

The whole world should be lower carb and those with risk factors should be on keto. It’s been labelled as a weight loss diet but it’s not just that. I do medical ketogenic metabolic therapy in my practice.

I wish more people were open to the knowledge that diet plays such a massive pet in our health.

Its not that suddenly we’re living longer so more people have dementia. It’s skyrocketing because of our horrid diets high in UPFs and our indoor lifestyles.

x2boys · 19/07/2023 20:15

Leafblow · 19/07/2023 18:52

The 1 in 1000 under 65 is quite likely to be mostly people with down syndrome, as early onset dementia is really rare in the rest of the population. But up to 80% of people with down syndrome will develop dementia in their 40s and 50s.
I've worked with some individuals who were diagnosed in their 30s, dementia is a horrible thing especially at such a young age.

Picks is more common in younger people ,I nursery a msnwho.wss diagnosed with it in his 30,sirs still rare though .

x2boys · 19/07/2023 20:16

Nursed *

Pritipoll · 19/07/2023 20:18

It's all very well to be pleased there is hope with early diagnosis however I can tell you in my area of UK my df who has dementia is 8 months away from a formal diagnosis.

EffortlessDesmond · 19/07/2023 20:24

We lost my DMIL last November so the scar is healing over, but her 80s were difficult. She (a trained nurse from 1947) was completely committed to the idea of scientific progress. She believed wholeheartedly in assisted dying and asked me to take her to Dignitas if she was ever diagnosed with a deteriorating condition. I promised I would. But by the time she was diagnosed with vascular dementia, she was unable to make the decision and sign the consent forms, because she was no longer able. It took three years in care, that she really didn't like, and a serious orthopaedic trauma stay in an acute ward where all the medics knew she wasn't going to get better before she gave up the fight, aged 93. I would have put an elderly pet to sleep, months earlier, to spare the distress.

Carpediem15 · 19/07/2023 20:27

My husband has Lewys body dementia with Parkinsons and is banging on the upstairs floor for me to go to him now. Just as I was going to start to read this. Might be back in 10 mins or tomorrow.

IncognitoMam · 19/07/2023 20:33

Carpediem15 · 19/07/2023 20:27

My husband has Lewys body dementia with Parkinsons and is banging on the upstairs floor for me to go to him now. Just as I was going to start to read this. Might be back in 10 mins or tomorrow.

I'm so sorry to hear that. Do you have any support?

EffortlessDesmond · 19/07/2023 20:37

Sending you all the hugs and good wishes I can @Carpediem15 . A very dear friend is heading down a similar road, and it is excruciating to see the journey. I can't even begin to think any comfort I can send is worth having. Practical help, always, but from 200 miles away, I can't do the everyday helpful bits that would really be useful.

fionaisonherway · 19/07/2023 20:39

This reply has been deleted

This user is a prolific previously banned troll so we've removed their threads and posts.

illiterato · 19/07/2023 20:43

There's a newish book called Longevity which talks about the Four Horsemen of Old Age- Cancer, Heart Disease, Diabetes, Alzheimers. Basically, the advice is to do a fuck tonne of exercise as that massively impacts all cause mortality more than pretty much anything else you do.

choices23 · 19/07/2023 20:44

I just think some of it is stupid for want of a better word

Like when I was sat with my mum just waiting for her to die. She wasn't going to recover, she was dying so why did we have to sit and wait for 12hrs when we wouldn't do that to an animal?

Thegoodthieves · 19/07/2023 20:47

My grandma died of dementia aged 72, it was around 4-5 years after diagnosis I think. It’s the cruelest disease and I do t agree with the PP that’s it’s preferable to a sudden death. I’ve got two photos of her 2 1/2 years apart - on the first she’s totally normal and happy, it’s my graduation. The second is at Christmas and I want to cry every time I look at it. We’d made her stand up for a group photo and she just looks bewildered and terrified and 10 years older. I still remember her not knowing why we were making her stand in the living room 😥

EffortlessDesmond · 19/07/2023 20:55

As things stand, I am unlikely to die from any of those, but almost everyone else I know (at 67) has a condition on that list.

Carpediem15 · 19/07/2023 20:57

IncognitoMam · 19/07/2023 20:33

I'm so sorry to hear that. Do you have any support?

Show quote history

No I don't as we live away from our only son - the support where we live is not good but I do get Attendance Allowance which enables be to to have a lady come and sit with him when I go out for a coffee now and again and she will clean the windows and do bits.

Earlydancing · 19/07/2023 21:06

@Carpediem15
I remember reading on another thread that because Lewys Body dementia can cause quite a rapid deterioration, the nhs will pay for funded carers. It has a special name. Have you looked into that?

Heyhoherewegoagain · 19/07/2023 21:07

My mum was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in her 50s. It scares the living shit out of me as I’m in my 50s now

ihatethecold · 19/07/2023 21:14

Is genetic testing available for dementia?
my birth mum has early onset dementia. I think she got it when she was under 65.
she hasn’t contacted me in about 7 years or sent a birthday card so I’m assuming she has worsened.

I think I want to know if I am genetically predisposed to it.

IncognitoMam · 19/07/2023 21:33

Carpediem15 · 19/07/2023 20:57

No I don't as we live away from our only son - the support where we live is not good but I do get Attendance Allowance which enables be to to have a lady come and sit with him when I go out for a coffee now and again and she will clean the windows and do bits.

Show quote history

That's not much. You must be exhausted.
Have you contacted any dementia charities?

bamboonights · 19/07/2023 21:56

RudsyFarmer · 19/07/2023 09:13

I honestly think we should have the right to be put down once we get a diagnosis of dementia/Alzheimer’s.

I'm 100% with you on this one. I wish they'd get the assisted dying law passed through Parliament. My whole family's life has revolved around caring for my adored dad for the last seven years, the last 3 intensely. He is trapped in his own body and can't move or speak, has late stage Parkinson's and Lewy Body dementia. is suicidal but can't do anything about it. Utterly heartbreaking.

lljkk · 19/07/2023 22:00

Sweden changed their diet advice not long ago to low carb/keto.

High adherence to the Swedish dietary guidelines = 47% of calories from carbohydrates = low carb/keto?

Wow, every day is a school day.

bamboonights · 19/07/2023 22:01

tescocreditcard · 19/07/2023 09:21

I'm off to Switzerland if i'm still alive at 80. I'll have a great big party for my 80th and a lovely day and then just quietly go a few days later, thinking about the party and my loved ones who were with me that day.

Yes. That's what i'm gonna do. The thought of lingering on for years with dementia is horrifying. I work in that industry.

That's my plan too. But we should be able to pass in our own country, in our own homes, with family, or a trusted friend (maybe two), who has medical power of attorney a doctor or GP's involvement and legal representative ensuring it's all above board.