The demography and epidemiology of dementia

Abstract

Against the background of population ageing and the moving of the baby boomer cohorts into the highest ages, Germany will face a rising number of dementia cases. A brief summary of the past and future demographic development as well as a discussion of the explaining factors of the age-specific trajectory of dementia prevalence rates based on routine claims data from the public sickness fund AOK are given. A forecast estimates the future number of dementia cases in Germany in 2050. Seventy percent of the increase are due to the rising life expectancy, while 30% are the result of the changing age structure of the German population.