Russia: survey of attitudes to dementia
79% of Russians now know about dementia, says a recent study
23.09.2024
Article published on the ASI website
The National Agency for Financial Studies’ analytical centre has conducted a survey on the Dementia.net social project which focused on the Russian people’s awareness of dementia, its causes and symptoms.
The results of the research showed that general perceptions of the disease rose by 11% compared to last year, with 79% now aware of the illness.
Fifty-five per cent of respondents are worried that one of their relatives might develop dementia, particularly if the oldest family member is over 79 years of age. But, thanks to a greater public understanding of the condition, 98% of Russians over the age of 45 now say that a doctor should be consulted at the first sign of the disease. However, 29% of them are unsure which particular specialist they ought to see for a diagnosis.
Forty-three percent of respondents believe that a person should be tested annually for cognitive dysfunction on reaching a certain age: 24% feel this should be done from the age of 50, while 26% said that 60 is the optimum age to start diagnostic tests.
Fifty per cent of respondents keep an eye on behavioural changes in their loved-ones, while only 25% talk about cognitive health with relatives over 60 years of age. No steps are taken to reduce the risk of dementia in 43% of families.
Thirty-seven per cent of Russians believe that it is possible to delay the onset of the illness, with 18% who feel the condition is preventable. A quarter of respondents under 24 years of age are convinced that dementia can be prevented.
According to Russians, the most effective preventative measures are:
- Memory exercises (54%);
- Medication support (50%);
- Brain exercises (49%).
Respondents who have relatives with dementia speak of the effect the disease has had on their own physical and emotional wellbeing:
- 44% find it very distressing to watch the mental deterioration of a loved-one;
- 36% worry about balancing work with care-giving;
- 24% are facing financial difficulties;
- 27% report an adverse impact on their own health.
Half of Russians, regardless of whether they have a relative with dementia, have doubts about their family’s financial security if a loved-one is diagnosed with the disease, with only 29% confident that they would be able to use the help of carers or specialist institutions in such a situation.
The survey also revealed several commonly-held stereotypes among Russians. For example, 51% of respondents think that it is inappropriate and embarrassing to talk about dementia, that they would never talk about a relative with the disease with people outside the family, and 30% who would hide their own diagnosis from others.
Forty-eight per cent of those asked think dementia is untreatable, with some believing that a person with the illness has nowhere to go for help. Only 31% know where to turn for help if a relative is diagnosed with the condition.
