Football and Dementia
As the World Cup is in full swing, it seems a good moment to mention the link between football and dementia. The Lionesses were already on it, back in April, partnering up with Alzheimer’s Society to raise awareness of the symptoms of dementia, along with the fact it will affect 1 in 3 people.
Meanwhile, a Swedish study has shown that footballers are 50% more likely to develop the disease. And it’s the same situation with rugby, with ex-players from each sport launching action against their respective bodies for putting players at risk. Notably, 1966 World Cup winner Nobby Stiles family being part of the action being brought against the FA. Several members of the 1966 World Cup squad were affected by dementia as well as Stiles, including Bobby Charlton and Sir Geoff Hurst.
It seems that it’s a continuing problem within football. Whilst guidance has been issued to limit players to 10 “higher force” headers per week in training, each club is going to have to look at taking measures to protect players (and potentially, also, to compensate them).
It’s great that the worlds of both rugby and football are taking steps to limit the risk to players, but does it go far enough? Or is it simply the case that some sports (for example boxing) carry the risk of increasing chances of affected by dementia, and people need to take part in them understanding the risk?
For me, this makes awareness of dementia, and visibility of people living with dementia, all the more important. Young people can’t make informed decisions on whether to take part in a sport that increases their dementia risk without this continued awareness. Alzheimer’s Society do a fabulous job of keeping dementia in the news, but people living with it? They tend to become invisible.So, I’ll keep talking about it, sharing images of my mum, and my experience with her, because I think it’s vital to do so.
Much love,
Anna
(ps, my mum would have had no interest in the World Cup, whatsoever).
