Delayed diagnoses pose problems for Alzheimer's sufferers

A new survey indicates that a considerable number of people may be putting off the medical care they need to treat Alzheimer's disease due to mistakenly attributing their symptoms to old age.

The poll, conducted by the Alzheimer's Society, found that nearly 50 per cent of Canadians lived a year or more with Alzheimer's disease symptoms before seeking help from a doctor. In addition, 16 per cent of these individuals waited two years. Some of the more common signs of dementia include increased loss of memory, changes in personality, becoming confused easily and difficulty conducting ordinary, day-to-day tasks.

The survey also looked into why these individuals took so long before seeing a doctor. Approximately 53 per cent said they did so because they figured their symptoms were nothing more than old age and would eventually subside. An additional 39 per cent didn't think their symptoms were severe enough to seek treatment. One in four Canadians refused to see a doctor until there were signs indicating their conditions had worsened.

Naguib Gouda, CEO of the Alzheimer's Society, said that while symptoms of dementia are a normal part of aging, many people may be unclear of the signs that suggest there's a more serious problem.

"We need to help Canadians recognize the symptoms for what they are: signs of a brain disorder that will affect 1.1 million Canadians in the next 25 years," said Gouda. "While we don't yet have a cure, we can offer treatment that may slow the progression of the disease, and a wealth of information to help people prepare for their future needs."

January is Alzheimer's Awareness Month. The Alzheimer's Society is using the month to launch its "Let's face it!" campaign by better informing Canadians about the signs and symptoms of the disease. Francine Lemire of the College of Family Physicians of Canada said that with early diagnosis, medications can be provided for those stricken with the disease, which will help minimize their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Because the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease has grown, so too have the costs needed to treat it. In September 2010, Alzheimer's Disease International released a study that detailed the healthcare costs of treating it, as well as the personal and societal costs.

According to the report, if dementia care were a country, it would have one of the world's largest economies, and if it were a place of business, it would generate more revenue than what many oil companies earn on an annual basis. And as pervasive as the disease is, the report also found that the cost of treating will grower quicker than its prevalence.

This may help explain why three out of four home caregivers - many of whom may have to bear the expense of treating the disease - indicated to the Alzheimer's Society that they wished they had sought a diagnosis sooner. Not only would this have made treatment for those afflicted with the disease easier, but respondents also said early diagnosis would have made their own personal lives better.

ADI estimates that 75 per cent of the 36 million people living with dementia worldwide have not been diagnosed, preventing them from receiving treatment.