A third of Russians believe that people with dementia “are not full members of society”
A third of Russians believe that people with dementia “are not full members of society”
22.09.2025
Article published on the asi.org.ru website
These are the findings of a study conducted by the National Agency for Financial Research’s (NAFI) Analytical Centre and the Dementia.net project.
The study was timed to coincide with World Alzheimer’s Day, which is held on 21 September every year.
According to the results of the research, in which more than 1,600 people took part, 83% of Russians are aware of the disease, which is 4% more than last year. One in five respondents said they had relatives who had been diagnosed with the illness.
At the same time, researchers also noted that society continues to stigmatise Alzheimer sufferers, with half of those surveyed preferring to keep such cases within the family, and 30% who would not say anything even if dementia affected them personally. Thirty-two per cent said that people with dementia “are not full members of society”.
Guzeliyaa Imaeva, Director General of the NAFI Analytical Centre, believes the problem is a cultural as well as a medical one. People are prejudiced in their attitudes regarding a dementia sufferer’s ability to work as well as their value to society.
On World Alzheimer’s Day, the social network Odnoklassniki, the Alzrus charity and the LizaAlert search and rescue team launched an educational initiative. Odnoklassniki has developed a range of special games and exercises aimed at stimulating cognitive functions. Experts share information about dementia with the Alzrus Foundation and LizaAlert on the same social network.
