Dementia and Alzheimer’s Rising in the Caribbean
On September 21, World Alzheimer’s Day, attention turns to a growing health challenge that is reshaping societies worldwide. In the Caribbean, international projections show that the region will experience an increase of more than 150 percent in dementia cases by 2050. That growth is sharper than in many other parts of the Americas and will have lasting consequences for families, caregivers, and health services.
Reports from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) estimate that dementia cases in the Caribbean will rise by roughly 152 to 155 percent within the next 25 years. Already, pooled studies suggest that about 11 percent of older adults in some island populations are living with dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease as the most common form.
Despite these figures, only 16 percent of Caribbean territories have taken steps toward developing a National Dementia Plan, a framework promoted by the World Health Organization to guide early diagnosis, care pathways, and caregiver support. Without such plans, preparation remains uneven and fragmented.
𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤
The Caribbean population is aging, with longer life expectancy leading to a greater proportion of seniors at risk of dementia. At the same time, chronic illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are highly prevalent across the region. These conditions are known contributors to cognitive decline.
In several countries, dementia is still perceived as a natural part of aging rather than a disease requiring medical attention. This perception contributes to late diagnoses and limited treatment options. The result is that families often shoulder the bulk of the responsibility, sometimes with little or no professional support.
Additionally, studies on dementia in Latin America and the Caribbean point to a steep rise in caregiver strain. In practice, caregiving often falls to a single family member, typically a spouse or adult child, who must juggle employment, household management, and emotional stress. The financial impact can be severe, especially in countries with few affordable long-term care options.
Recent features in Caribbean media have highlighted this reality. In Jamaica, couples living with Alzheimer’s have shared how daily routines are reorganized around memory loss. In Trinidad and Tobago, families describe the constant search for reliable information and affordable support. In the Cayman Islands, initiatives at Health City hospital to create “dementia-friendly” care environments show what can be achieved with targeted investment and training. These examples point to both the difficulties families face and the possibilities for better support.
𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭
Globally, dementia costs already surpass US$1 trillion annually. For small island states where budgets are tight and health infrastructure is limited, the additional burden could be destabilizing. In many Caribbean societies, extended families act as the safety net, but this structure is under pressure from migration, shifting demographics, and rising costs of living.
Dementia alters household roles, often requiring children to care for parents or spouses to take on new responsibilities. These shifts affect not only caregivers but also younger generations who may see education and career prospects disrupted by the need to provide care.
One consistent barrier across the region is stigma. Families may hide a diagnosis due to shame, or dismiss symptoms as ordinary aging. This silence delays treatment and isolates both patients and caregivers. Campaigns linked to World Alzheimer’s Day stress the importance of public awareness, early detection, and open conversation.
Public health leaders emphasize that dementia is not an inevitable part of aging. Risk reduction, through healthier lifestyles, better management of chronic diseases, and early intervention, can make a difference. Building this awareness is essential for the Caribbean, where cultural attitudes toward aging and illness often discourage open discussion.
Experts recommend several practical steps for Caribbean governments and communities:
• National Dementia Plans: Establish clear frameworks for diagnosis, treatment, and long-term care.
• Training Health Professionals: Equip doctors, nurses, and community health workers to recognize and manage dementia.
• Support for Caregivers: Provide financial, psychological, and practical assistance for families carrying the bulk of the care burden.
• Public Education: Confront stigma and misinformation through consistent awareness campaigns.
• Integration into Broader Aging Policy: Align dementia care with strategies for elder health, social protection, and noncommunicable diseases.
Behind the statistics are individuals and families whose daily lives are reshaped by memory loss, confusion, and the gradual decline that dementia brings. Caribbean societies are only beginning to reckon with what a 150 percent increase in cases will mean for communities that already face economic and health pressures.
World Alzheimer’s Day serves as a reminder that action cannot be delayed. The Caribbean has the opportunity to prepare now, through planning, training, and education, so that the coming decades bring not only higher numbers, but also stronger systems of support for those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s.