Women and dementia--not forgotten

Abstract

Objectives: To inform our understanding of gender, sex and dementia for women's health and highlight both current and emerging issues. The purpose of this article is to provide policy makers with an improved understanding of the sex-specific and gender dimensions that exist to help formulate more effective and targeted health and social care policies.

Methods: The findings, from which this article is formed, were reported in the form of an evidence review which included both qualitative and quantitative studies from academic, clinical, research and grey literature. The issue of dementia was approached through the prism of sex and gender, in an attempt to understand the complex interaction between biologically and socially constructed roles.

Findings: There continues to be a pressing need to raise awareness of the impact of discrimination, exclusion and stigma associated with dementia and the impact for women in particular. While the 'feminisation of ageing' is a widely recognised trend, hitherto a comprehensive approach to the impact of dementia on women remains largely unexplored with regards to research and policy impact. Women face a 'triple jeopardy' as a result of the associated stigma attached to their age, gender and decline in cognitive functions. The need for further research of the sex and gender specific risk factors for dementia is highlighted alongside the need for greater evidence on diagnosis, treatment and response. The findings also expose the gender specific nature of unpaid care and the associated consequences for women as a result.

Conclusions: Based on analysis of the available data and assisted by the gender lens tool, the findings presented in this article posit that women across many parts of the world are and will continue to disproportionately bear the burden of dementia, with particular regard to either living with dementia and/or caring for family members with dementia.