1.7m will have dementia by 2051
More than 1.7 million people in the UK will have dementia by 2051, costing billions of pounds each year, experts have forecast. The grim projections are based on the most up to date evaluation of dementia. Currently 700,000 - or one person in every 88 in the UK - has dementia, incurring a yearly cost of £17bn.
Professor Martin Knapp, of the London School of Economics, one of the report's authors, said: "This research highlights the desperate need for dementia to be made a national priority. Current levels of services and support for people with dementia and carers are clearly inadequate."
One in 20 people over 65 and one in five people over 80 has a form of dementia. Around two thirds of those affected have Alzheimer's disease.
There is no cure for dementia, and those with the condition need increasing care as the disease progresses.
'Piecemeal'
The researchers' investigations reveal caring for one person with late-onset dementia costs an average of £25,472 per year. Currently, the bulk of this cost is met by people with dementia and their families. Two thirds of these people live at home - either alone or with friends or relatives.
They said there were "marked variations" in the levels of provision and spending across the UK, and that care and support is "delivered piecemeal and in an inefficient fashion."
"Dementia is one of the main causes of disability later in life ahead of cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke, yet funding for dementia research is significantly lower than these other conditions.
"Even delaying the onset of dementia by five years would halve the number of related deaths, saving nearly 30,000 lives annually."
'Intolerable strain'
Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, added: "With every second ticking by, dementia costs the UK £539. We can't afford to ignore the true cost of dementia to society as a whole.
"We must tackle this huge challenge head on."
"We need to invest in dementia services, research, support and training and use what money is being spent more effectively. Planning now will save lives and money in the future."
He added: "This new research shows that the government is failing to support people with dementia and their carers.
"Dementia will place an intolerable strain on our health and social care system unless the right services and support are in place."
Older people's tsar Professor Ian Philp, who is currently preparing new guidance for local health and social care bodies on early intervention and support for people with dementia, said: "This is a significant report that highlights the key issues around dementia and its economic impact."
From:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6389977.stm
Health Direct notes that Alzheimer sufferers and their carers lives are currently bearing the brunt of the NHS cash shortages.
On 11 Oct 06- in National Institute for Curbing Expenditure (NICE) blights thousands of Alzheimer sufferers we posted that NICE has been renamed by NHS doctors as the National Institute for Curbing Expenditure after it's latest edict to ban the funding of Alzheimers drugs costing only £2.50 a day- which will effect hunderds of thousands of sufferers.
"This blatant cost-cutting will rob people of priceless time" said Neil Hunt of the Alzheimer's Society.
The backlash against this ruling by the National Institute for Curbing Expenditure led to our posting on 17 Nov 06- Drugs watchdog faces legal review- NICE's approach is irrational and flawed.
A decision by the Labour government's drugs watchdog to restrict the use by the NHS of Alzheimer's medication is to be challenged in court. Two drug companies plan to apply for a judicial review of the way the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence reached its conclusion. NICE ruled NHS patients with newly diagnosed, mild Alzheimer's disease should not be prescribed the drugs.
Professor Martin Knapp, of the London School of Economics, one of the report's authors, said: "This research highlights the desperate need for dementia to be made a national priority. Current levels of services and support for people with dementia and carers are clearly inadequate."
One in 20 people over 65 and one in five people over 80 has a form of dementia. Around two thirds of those affected have Alzheimer's disease.
There is no cure for dementia, and those with the condition need increasing care as the disease progresses.
'Piecemeal'
The researchers' investigations reveal caring for one person with late-onset dementia costs an average of £25,472 per year. Currently, the bulk of this cost is met by people with dementia and their families. Two thirds of these people live at home - either alone or with friends or relatives.
They said there were "marked variations" in the levels of provision and spending across the UK, and that care and support is "delivered piecemeal and in an inefficient fashion."
"Dementia is one of the main causes of disability later in life ahead of cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke, yet funding for dementia research is significantly lower than these other conditions.
"Even delaying the onset of dementia by five years would halve the number of related deaths, saving nearly 30,000 lives annually."
'Intolerable strain'
Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, added: "With every second ticking by, dementia costs the UK £539. We can't afford to ignore the true cost of dementia to society as a whole.
"We must tackle this huge challenge head on."
"We need to invest in dementia services, research, support and training and use what money is being spent more effectively. Planning now will save lives and money in the future."
He added: "This new research shows that the government is failing to support people with dementia and their carers.
"Dementia will place an intolerable strain on our health and social care system unless the right services and support are in place."
Older people's tsar Professor Ian Philp, who is currently preparing new guidance for local health and social care bodies on early intervention and support for people with dementia, said: "This is a significant report that highlights the key issues around dementia and its economic impact."
From:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6389977.stm
Health Direct notes that Alzheimer sufferers and their carers lives are currently bearing the brunt of the NHS cash shortages.
On 11 Oct 06- in National Institute for Curbing Expenditure (NICE) blights thousands of Alzheimer sufferers we posted that NICE has been renamed by NHS doctors as the National Institute for Curbing Expenditure after it's latest edict to ban the funding of Alzheimers drugs costing only £2.50 a day- which will effect hunderds of thousands of sufferers.
"This blatant cost-cutting will rob people of priceless time" said Neil Hunt of the Alzheimer's Society.
The backlash against this ruling by the National Institute for Curbing Expenditure led to our posting on 17 Nov 06- Drugs watchdog faces legal review- NICE's approach is irrational and flawed.
A decision by the Labour government's drugs watchdog to restrict the use by the NHS of Alzheimer's medication is to be challenged in court. Two drug companies plan to apply for a judicial review of the way the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence reached its conclusion. NICE ruled NHS patients with newly diagnosed, mild Alzheimer's disease should not be prescribed the drugs.
Labels: Alzheimers, dementia, nhs cash shortages, NICE blight
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