I hope in a decade when I look back on this post, the world will be a better place for people living with dementia, especially for women.
Jumping into the facts, a study evidently points out that in Singapore, 97% of caregivers for people living with dementia were female; comprising of daughters and daughter in law’s.
In the aged care sector, the workforce comprises of mostly women. In some countries up to 80%.
Our biological differences have seen more women then men living with dementia, and dementia being the leading cause of death for women.
For many of us women, we may be living with dementia, be the primary support for a loved one with dementia or working to formally provide care to a person living with dementia.
It’s important that we support each other and work together to educate the next generation, reducing traditional gender roles to enable more opportunities for a cure as more women move into STEM. Recognise the efforts and responsibilities of women taking on caring roles within the family, one that is of love, patience and pain as they live the long goodbye. Let’s not forget the many care staff in the aged care sector that have been working on minimum wage, understaffed and running off their feet, yet always having a warm smile and love for the people living with dementia that they care for.
Let’s do better for all women living and working with dementia!
Designing for Aged Care 