Submitted by Susan Dunkley 

As a Woman, is It Possible to Live Well With Dementia?

Dementia disproportionately affects women. More women than men develop dementia, and a large proportion of carers are women, in both informal and formal capacities. There is often no governmental organization or programmes to address the problems associated with dementia, either for the person with dementia or to support the caregiver. Expectations are made in many countries that families will look after older relatives, including those with dementia. This expectation often extends to it being the women in the family who takes on this direct caregiving role. There is often reluctance amongst women caregivers to access help from formal and informal support services, due to conflicts between cultural and family expectations or the ability and willingness to seek help on the part of the caregiver. Continue reading →