![\"Alzheimer's](\"http:\/\/www.silvereco.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Alzheimers.jpg\")
<\/h2>\nAlzheimer’s :\u00a0facts and figures<\/h2>\n\n- In the world,\u00a0nearly 44 million<\/strong> people\u00a0suffer from Alzheimer’s or some related form of dementia.<\/li>\n
- By 2050, this number will swell up to 130 million.<\/li>\n
- Alzheimer’s is most prevalent in Western Europe and North America<\/strong>, and least prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa.<\/li>\n
- In the UK<\/a>, more than 1.5 million people<\/strong>‘s lives are affected by Alzheimer’s, either directly or through caring for a family member with the disease, compared to nearly 1.3 million people in France.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Source :\u00a0Alzheimer\u2019s Disease International, Alzheimer’s Research UK,\u00a0France Alzheimer<\/em><\/small><\/p>\nAlzheimer’s research :\u00a0the road so far<\/h2>\n
More than 100 years after the disease was discovered, scientists are still unable to define\u00a0the exact causes behind this complex neurodegenerative pathology. But thanks to research, knowledge of the disease has expanded substantially and\u00a0there has been significant progress in the care provided to those affected.<\/p>\n
Not a day goes by that a researcher doesn’t come up with\u00a0a new (and sometimes eccentric) approach to stalling the disease. For example, some studies are currently focusing on the benefits of a gold-based nanoparticle supposedly capable of targeting overactive brain receptors responsible for neurological diseases,\u00a0or\u00a0tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the component responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. But those studies are only just getting off the ground, and to this day, no treatment can fully cure Alzheimer’s disease<\/strong> and related disorders.<\/p>\n\nRead more :\u00a0Alzheimer\u2019s : discover the benefits of the Mediterranean diet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nOverview of support schemes for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers<\/h2>\n
Several schemes exist to support those suffering from Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, whether through diagnosis,![\"Alzheimer's](\"http:\/\/www.silvereco.org\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Alzheimers-disease-head.jpg\")
structuring support, or coming up with new accommodation solutions ; this new thought process developed alongside the Silver economy in Europe and beyond, most noticeably in France, and has already borne fruits\u00a0:<\/p>\n
\n- Memory evaluation tests<\/strong>\u00a0are the most routinely used method\u00a0of diagnosing Alzheimer’s at an early stage for better care.<\/li>\n
- Adult day\u00a0centres<\/strong> provide temporary accommodation to patients ; they support caregivers through respite platforms and favour an ageing-in-place approach.<\/li>\n
- Long-term care facilities provide patients with permanent accommodation and medical supervision.<\/li>\n
- In the US : Alzheimer\u2019s special care units (SCU\u2019s)<\/strong> are memory units located in a residential care facility. Patients typically share an entire floor or wing of the facility, and receive assistance from trained and specialised staff.<\/li>\n
- In France : the MAIA<\/strong> (Home for the Autonomy and Integration of Alzheimer’s Patients) are structures which plan and coordinate care through tailored home care plans and provide support, respite and informations to friends, family members and caregivers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Numerous associations also take actions to improve the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and their family caregivers ; French association France Alzheimer, for example, organises “memory caf\u00e9s”, planned outings, caregiver training sessions, support groups, and even thermal therapies.<\/p>\n
Non-pharmacological therapies<\/h2>\n
Source :\u00a0Alzheimer\u2019s Disease International, Alzheimer’s Research UK,\u00a0France Alzheimer<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n More than 100 years after the disease was discovered, scientists are still unable to define\u00a0the exact causes behind this complex neurodegenerative pathology. But thanks to research, knowledge of the disease has expanded substantially and\u00a0there has been significant progress in the care provided to those affected.<\/p>\n Not a day goes by that a researcher doesn’t come up with\u00a0a new (and sometimes eccentric) approach to stalling the disease. For example, some studies are currently focusing on the benefits of a gold-based nanoparticle supposedly capable of targeting overactive brain receptors responsible for neurological diseases,\u00a0or\u00a0tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the component responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects. But those studies are only just getting off the ground, and to this day, no treatment can fully cure Alzheimer’s disease<\/strong> and related disorders.<\/p>\n Read more :\u00a0Alzheimer\u2019s : discover the benefits of the Mediterranean diet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Several schemes exist to support those suffering from Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, whether through diagnosis, Numerous associations also take actions to improve the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and their family caregivers ; French association France Alzheimer, for example, organises “memory caf\u00e9s”, planned outings, caregiver training sessions, support groups, and even thermal therapies.<\/p>\nAlzheimer’s research :\u00a0the road so far<\/h2>\n
\n
Overview of support schemes for Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers<\/h2>\n
structuring support, or coming up with new accommodation solutions ; this new thought process developed alongside the Silver economy in Europe and beyond, most noticeably in France, and has already borne fruits\u00a0:<\/p>\n\n
Non-pharmacological therapies<\/h2>\n