MLHU - Health Status Resource

Dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a set of signs and symptoms associated with a progressive deterioration of cognitive functions that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.¹ Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia; accounting for 60–80% of all dementia cases.² Dementia is a chronic disease of public health importance in which Ontario public health units have a mandate to reduce their burden through interventions that promote health and help to prevent disease.³ Rates of death due to dementia (including Alzheimer’s Disease) increased in Middlesex-London from 2006 to 2015, which may correspond with the growing and aging population of Middlesex-London.

Dementia (including Alzheimer’s Disease)

Hospitalization rates for dementia were lower in Middlesex-London compared to Ontario from 2006 to 2018 (Figure 7.5.2). In 2018, the hospitalization rate was 18.9 per 100,000 in Middlesex-London compared to 25.1 per 100,000 in Ontario; a difference that was statistically significant.

When comparing across all age groups, hospitalization rates for dementia increased with age in Middlesex-London in 2018 (Figure 7.5.3). The rate was highest among those age 75 years and older (263.8 per 100,000).

The Leading Causes of Death section contains data showing that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia were the second leading cause of death in Middlesex-London from 2013 to 2015.

Death rates due to dementia in Middlesex-London were similar to Ontario for the two most recent years for which data are available, 2014 and 2015 (Figure 7.5.4). For Middlesex-London, Ontario and the Peer Group, rates of death increased over time from 2006 to 2015.

Death rates due to dementia were slightly higher among females compared to males in Middlesex-London from 2006 to 2015, however the differences were not statistically significant (Figure 7.5.5).

Death rates due to dementia were higher among the rural population of Middlesex-London compared to the urban population from 2013 to 2015 (Figure 7.5.6). Rates among the rural population increased over time from 2013 to 2015, while rates in the urban population remained stable during this period.

Interpretation

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a set of signs and symptoms associated with a progressive deterioration of cognitive functions that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.¹ The cognitive abilities that can be impacted include: memory, language, basic math skills, judgement, planning, and awareness of person, place, and time.⁴ Types of dementia include: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.¹

Approximately 7.1% of Canadians age 65 years and older have dementia, of which two-thirds are women.¹ The causes of dementia are not specifically known⁵, but age is known to be the most important risk factor for dementia.⁴ With a growing and aging population, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase in Canada.⁴

Figure 7.5.2. Hospitalizations for dementia

Figure 7.5.3. Hospitalizations for dementia, by age group

Figure 7.5.4. Deaths due to dementia

Figure 7.5.5. Deaths due to dementia, by sex

Figure 7.5.6. Deaths due to dementia, by urban-rural status