Demência e COVID-19: Contributos da IV edição do Seminário Internacional Alzheimer e outras Demências

Alzheimer’s Disease International started out as the international umbrella organisation of all Alzheimers associations. It aimed to give global voice to the Alzheimers and dementia community at multilateral level (WHO, UN etc). At that time nobody advocated globally for dementia and indeed nobody knew what the prevalence and incidence figures were. As ADI continued to grow from its initial 4 members, it quickly realised that the stigma and discrimination that surrounded dementia would also need to be addressed globally and so it increased its effort to include data gathering, public policy and awareness raising. Sadly, combatting the stigma and discrimination for those living with dementia and their carers remains one of our most prominent activities to this day. Along these lines. I was grateful to attend the ‘IV International Seminar on Alzheimer's and other Dementias: Knowing, Understanding and Intervening’ to discuss the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic for people with dementia and their caregivers. Poignantly, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted just how widespread ageism and discrimination is towards those living with Dementia. Many lives of older people were lost all over the world due to governments ignoring the clear and present danger the virus posed to them in a number of different and chilling ways. An example is the decision to deprioritise treatment for those having COVID-19 with dementia as an underlying condition. Shockingly in Canada, of all COVID-19 deaths in 2020, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease was reported on 36 per cent of death certificates; in Australia dementia constituted 41% of all COVID19 deaths; 26% in the UK; and 20% in regions of Italy. Many governments are still to publish their data, and, more worryingly, many are not capturing this data at all. On top of this, emerging data is also suggesting that COVID-19 may be exacerbating the dementia crisis globally: • Many people living with dementia have experienced cognitive deterioration from lack of social engagement due to social isolation, shielding, distancing and lack of social services • Many carers and people living with dementia have seen the onset of depression and anxiety as a consequence of social distancing and lack of respite and care support • More recently, we have started to look at the impact of long Covid on the brain and there is a genuine concern we may be facing more onset of dementia as a consequence of COVID-19 infection. In light of these sobering statistics, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic Alzheimer’s Disease International have continued to highlight the discrimination that has occurred globally. For those living with dementia and their carers we have developed guidance on topics such as mental health and wellbeing. On the international stage, we have continued to draw attention to these inequalities 4 through our work with the WHO and Governments around the world, maintaining pressure through coverage in the media. However, more must be done to ensure that the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 on those living with dementia or their carers is never forgotten, nor repeated in the future. Many ask what can be done to combat the stigma and discrimination that persists. Since the launch of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global action plan on the public health response to dementia 2017 – 2025, Alzheimers Disease International have advocated for the universal adoption of the recommendations set out in this plan. These seven action areas include: Dementia as a public health priority; Dementia awareness and friendliness; Dementia risk reduction; Diagnosis, treatment, care, and support; Support for dementia carers; Information systems for dementia and Dementia research and innovation. Alzheimer’s Disease International strongly believes that incorporating these seven action areas into national dementia plans is the best way to address dementia related issues in each country. Through these seminars and conferences, it is essential that we all work together to break the stigma surrounding the disease. We have created a strong momentum and a strong voice but we need to continue to press for change at every level to ensure a better life for people living with dementia and their families. Collectively, I therefore reiterate my call for the Portuguese government to show leadership by implementing a fully funded national dementia plan to support the 229,000 people living with dementia in Portugal.

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