Memory-related diseases are a growing public health issue in Finland as the population ages. At the same time the cost of diseases increases too. On 21 September, World Alzheimer Day, The Alzheimer Society of Finland and Biogen published a report on the impact of memory-related diseases. The report highlights that the increase in costs can be slowed down, if memory-related diseases are found and diagnosed early enough. The report also gives out policy recommendations that would help to control and reduce the costs.
“Timely diagnosis is a cornerstone of good care and other services. Even today diagnosis may be delayed because of a lack of knowledge, shame, or insufficient expertise of health care services professionals” said Katariina Suomu, Executive director of Alzheimer Society of Finland. “A big structural reform in social and health care services is being carried out in Finland at the moment. Now we have the momemtum to make the quality of services related to memory-related diseases better too”, she concluded.
