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Dementia timebomb will cost the NHS millions
Last updated at 22:22pm on 25.02.07
For the first time this year, children in Britain will be outnumbered by pensioners
The number of elderly dementia sufferers will soar by more than one million and put an 'intolerable' strain on the Health Service, doctors have warned.
Psychiatric experts described the prospect as a 'timebomb' which will cost the NHS millions in medical and social care.
The growing number with dementia is due to our ageing population and because illnesses such as cancer and heart disease are being treated more successfully, letting people live longer lives.
This year children will be outnumbered by pensioners for the first time.
Research for Britain's most comprehensive dementia study, Dementia UK, published tomorrow, estimates that within 20 years there will be one million dementia sufferers, putting unsustainable financial pressure on the NHS.
By 2050, that figure is expected to have grown to 1.7 million.
At present, dementia affects one in five people over 85 and one in 20 over the age of 65.
Friends and relatives who care for the 700,000 who currently have dementia save the state £6billion every year.
Professor Martin Prince, of the Institute of Psychiatry, said family members would become less able to support elderly relatives, making them more reliant on care services to carry the burden.
A spokesman for the Alzheimer's Society said: "It's a timebomb and we need a serious strategy.
"What the report will do is look at the economic cost of dementia not just the significant cost to human lives.
"More resources will be needed but it's about preparation and planning. We need to have a plan in place for dealing with dementia.
"This is one of the most important surveys in dementia we have had in the UK.
"We do want the Government to make it a priority. There is a distinct lack of funding for dementia research in Britain compared to other countries, which is ridiculous as we have one of the longest-living populations."
Dementia occurs in the elderly and appears when specific conditions affect the brain such as Alzheimer's and vascular disease.
Sufferers may experience slurred speech, memory loss, delusion and even fundamental changes to personality and behaviour.
At present there is no cure although researchers are in the very early stages of developing a vaccine along with drugs to slow its progress.
Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society said: "Millions of people will be affected by the devastating consequences of dementia.
"This week we will learn the true cost of dementia to society as a whole as we publish the full findings of the Dementia UK report.
"It will demonstrate that the country cannot afford to ignore the impact of dementia.
"It is time to tackle this challenge head on."
The study, commissioned by the Alzheimer's Society and carried out by the London School of Economics and the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, will focus on the potential financial impact of dementia on the NHS and social care.
Reader views (3)
Within the last couple of years my father unfortunately was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
His mental health rapidly declined after the initial diagnosis and the only drug he has ever been given is for agitation, nothing to relieve the symptoms of this devastating illness.
Alzheimer’s drugs for early and late stage patients having been deemed too expensive at a cost of £2.50 a day by NICE (National Institute for Clinical excellence) and not cost effective.
He has to live in a care home which is in Gillingham with 24/7 care which costs him nearly £1000 pounds a month out of his army pension, many people have to sell their homes to pay for their care.
Someone who has contributed so much to his or her country should not be kicked in the teeth by this government in their old age.
Because of my Fathers predicament I have become a supporter of the Alzheimer’s society, who are challenging the NICE decision in the High Court.
I have set up an epetition on the Prime Ministers website and would be very grateful for any support the link is: - http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/alzheimerdrugs/
- Mark Carter, North Lincolnshire
I do not wish to remain alive, should I ever become a victim of senile dementia to the point that I no longer know who I am, where I am, and who my loved ones are. However, the state intends to spend billions on keeeping dementia victims alive even should they pre-register a wish to the contrary, and would not only deny them a quick and painless death but would prosecute anyone who might help them find it as murderers!
Why?
- Nigel, London
They should not have closed all the hospitals that helped these people. They only sold the land off to private houseing fims for a profit. Why not use some of that money?
- Kim Armstrong, UK
