The curvy side of dementia : the impact of gender on prevalence and caregiving

Abstract

Dementia, the most common form of which is Alzheimer’s disease, is a mental illness characterised by progressive deterioration of cognitive function. Various studies indicate that significant gender differences exist in dementia prevalence and caregiving with women being the most negatively affected. Biological variations in hormonal regulation and immune response can lead to changes in cognitive function. Depression, which is more prevalent in females, is also associated with a higher risk of developing dementia. The majority of caregivers of individuals with dementia are women, the latter experiencing more psychological burden that men. This highlights the importance of more research in gender-specific issues relating to caring for individuals with dementia in order to develop interventions aimed at improving the quality of life through bettering dementia management and care.