Dementia and gender: New research project illuminates care differences

Dementia and gender: New research project illuminates care differences

The differences between the sexes in dementia are a topic of growing importance in medical research. According to current studies, women are significantly more common by dementia than men, the most common form of this disease being the Alzheimer's disease. The University of Witten/Herdecke , together with the German Alzheimer's Society e. V. Self -help dementia, starts a new research project entitled "Pargenda", which deals specifically with these gender differences in care.

The project funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space Travel has a term of 18 months. The aim is to clarify the needs of those affected and caring relatives with regard to gender -specific aspects of dementia supply. Numerous participants are included as consultants, including people with dementia, their relatives and experts. In order to record stressful everyday experiences, questionnaires are developed that cover various topics such as emotional and social consequences of the disease.

research results and differences in care

Characterized by the results of the project, a workshop will take place to develop a list of ten central questions about gender -sensitive psychosocial support at the end of the research phase. Dr. Maria Teresa Ferretti , neuroscientist and expert in sex and gender medicine, emphasizes that Alzheimer's occurs twice as often as in men. On the other hand, women show a different symptom profile and react differently to treatments.

The entire results of the project should be compared with the existing studies on gender differences in order to anchor gender -sensitive solutions in practice in the long term. Prof. Dr. Margareta Halek from the University of Witten/Herdecke emphasizes the need that more gender -sensitive approaches are integrated into nursing practice, since women often bear the main load of care.

biological and social facets

The basic causes of the higher dementia rates in women are complex and include both biological and social factors. research results show that in particular hormonal differences and different social roles can contribute to these discrepancies. However, many questions about these topics remain open, in particular with regard to the health policy strategies that should also influence future studies.

The increasing interest in gender research in medicine illustrates how important it is to take gender differences into account in the treatment and support of dementia patients. This is the only way to guarantee balanced and effective support for all those affected.