Dementia in Hesse: Where the disease strikes most frequently!

Dementia in Hesse: Where the disease strikes most frequently!

Werra-Meißner-Kreis, Deutschland - In Hesse, dementia is not uncommon. According to estimates, around 1.8 million people in Germany are suffering from this disease, with around 13 out of 1,000 inhabitants affecting in Hesse. According to an analysis of the Barmer morbidity and social atlas from 2022, the diagnosis rate is even 14 percent below the national average of 15.2 sufferers each. But the frequency varies greatly depending on the region.

This shows that the Werra-Meißner district has the highest rate with 21.3 affected people each. In contrast, Marburg-Biedenkopf with only 9 sufferers 1000 people each has the slightest rate. The district of Kassel also beats 18.2 on the national average, while the Hochtaunuskreis 17.6 and the Main-Kinzig-Kreis shows 12.81. In the district of Fulda there are 11.32 each. Martin Till, the state chief of the Barmer in Hesse, explains these differences with the regional age structure.

dementia and its facets

dementia is a umbrella term for diseases that result in the loss of mental abilities. The most common form, with around 70 percent of cases, is Alzheimer's dementia, followed by vascular dementia, which is about 15 percent. Unfavorable factors such as high blood pressure or previous strokes can increase the risk of vascular dementia. The 80- to 89-year-olds show alarming numbers: 116.7 out of 1000 people are affected here. For over 90 year olds, the rate is even around 25 percent.

In addition, it is worrying that around 31 percent of dementia patients have also received a diagnosis of depression. The combination of dementia and mental illnesses can make care and support considerably more difficult. In fact, depressive or aggressive moods can often occur hand in hand with the clinical picture, which presents both nurses and relatives with great challenges.

prevention in focus

How can you counteract the risk? Experts emphasize the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise and a balanced diet, which typically occurs in the Mediterranean diet, are crucial. Consumption of plant -rich foods and the absence of alcohol from a certain age can also promote the risk of dementia. Studies show that excessive alcohol consumption not only damages memory, but also provokes health problems that can favor dementia.

The German Alzheimer Society offers a offer of information in cooperation with the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG) that is intended to support multipliers in society. In a 90-minute lecture, among other things, the functioning of the brain and tips for prevention are dealt with by dementia. Materials can be requested free of charge to achieve even more people in everyday life.

A healthy lifestyle, growing education on dementia and prevention are essential. Whether in the care facilities or among families: everyone can make a contribution to counter the topic of dementia and to return a piece of quality of life to those affected and their relatives. For deeper information, the fuldaerzeitung.de, deutsche-alzheimer.de and alzheimer-forschung.de Valuable resources and support.