A growing challenge
An estimated 21,000 people are living with dementia in Upper Austria. This stroke of fate is associated with great stress for those affected and their relatives. There is still no cure in sight for the disease, which becomes more common with increasing age. Due to the demographic development, the situation will therefore worsen significantly in the coming years: By 2045, an increase to 48,000 patients is expected in Upper Austria, a challenge for care and support.
In order to improve the situation for people with dementia and their relatives in the future, ACADEMIA SUPERIOR invited to an Stakeholder Forum at the Johannes Kepler University Linz.
“We have to face dementia in all sectors of society. If we show that you can do something against it, we can take away the fear of the disease a little bit”, explained chairwoman LH-Stv. Mag. Christine Haberlander at the beginning of the talks. Soziallandesrätin Birgit Gerstorfer shared this opinion: „We have to reduce the stigma that still clings to dementia and, as a society, ensure that people with dementia are not socially isolated”.
