Strategy a chance to ‘avert crisis’

Mar 26 2009 by Selena O'Donnell, Chester Chronicle

THE Alzheimer’s Society has welcomed the National Dementia Strategy as a tool to help fight ignorance about the disease.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the society, said: “This is a momentous opportunity to avert a dementia crisis that could overwhelm the NHS and social care.

‘There is so much to do. Only a third of people with dementia get a formal diagnosis, denying them vital support.

“It is essential the strong leadership from the Department of Health continues so that these plans become a reality. Change won’t happen overnight, but the Alzheimer’s Society will be working tirelessly to bring dementia out of the shadows.”

Facts and figures:

People wait on average three years before reporting symptoms to their doctor.

70% of carers report being unaware of symptoms before diagnosis.

64% of carers report denial about their relatives having an illness.

58% of carers believed the symptoms to be just part of aging.

Only 31% of GP’s believe they have sufficient training to diagnose dementia.

There are 700,000 people with dementia in the UK. This will rise to more than 1 million people by 2025 and 1.7 million by 2051.

There are 575,000 people with dementia in England.

One in three people over 65 will die with dementia.

Dementia costs the country £539 a second.

Two thirds of people with late onset dementia live at home, meaning families bear the biggest burden

Unpaid carers save the economy £6 billion a year