The geriatric giant growing by the hour

The number of people with dementia in NZ is set to more than double in the next 25 years. Luckily, the medical world is learning more about treatment and prevention.Every day, twice a day, at a level crossing in the Auckland suburb of Hobsonville, young and old gather with a mutual mission.The young are on their way to school and the old, from the nearby retirement village, are tasked with getting them safely across the busy road.Dr Cheryl Johnson sees it on a daily basis on her way to work, and as a geriatrician she celebrates it."They have a roster of people who help the kids cross the road," she says. "That's connection, that's sense of purpose, that's someone getting up in the morning to get these kids safely across the road."Community connections and sense of purpose are among the key factors to ageing well and warding off dementia, which Johnson ranks as one of the 'geriatric giants'.And it is a giant that's growing by the hour. Three people develop the disease every 60 minutes. By 2050, that number will rise to four, according to figures from Dementia New Zealand and University of Auckland.The prevalence in Aotearoa is projected to grow from 82,945 in 2025 to 167,400 in 2050 with Māori, Pacific and Asian people experiencing faster-growing dementia rates. The economic cost is predicted to double from $3.2 billion now to $6.4b in 2050.But among the grim figures are some heartening facts which show that people can do a lot for themselves, Johnson says. She's speaking to The Detail ahead of World Alzheimer's Awareness month in September.A healthy lifestyle can play a big part in reducing the severity of what is also known medically as cognitive impairment. That includes a mediterranean diet, low or no alcohol, regular exercise - 30 minutes, five times a week - brain-stimulating activities from crossword to choirs to learning a language, social activities, and getting a hearing test.According to the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention 2024, 40 percent of all dementia cases are attributable to modifiable risk factors that can be identified and treated.According to figures from Dementia New Zealand and University of Auckland, three people will develop dementia every 60 minutes. By 2050, that number will rise to four.RNZ / Sharon BrettkellyOne in three dementia diagnoses are preceded by mild cognitive impairment, the window in which intervention is most effective.Up to 23 percent of people referred with memory concerns are found to have a reversible cause, not dementia.Studies also show that doing nothing is the most expensive choice. Johnson says too often people come to her in her public and private clinics too late."There was a study done in New Zealand that said the average time from the development of symptoms to diagnosis is three and a half years which is a really long time when you think about it."Lots of things are happening within that period. That statistic really struck me and what we see is that delay. I think people are scared or sometimes it's really subtle when it starts and then it becomes more obvious."And then when people come and see me, particularly in the public system, it is quite clear that they have dementia and the symptoms have been going on for a period of time."She explains to The Detail that there are limited treatments available in New Zealand."We don't have disease-modifying therapies in New Zealand yet but they are coming."Listen to The Detail to find out more about the tests for dementia, the latest treatments and why attitudes need to change.Check out how to listen to and follow The Detail here.You can also get in touch with us by emailing thedetail@rnz.co.nz