Daily Mail
28 May 2008
THE number of elderly suffering from dementia will rise to more than a million over the next two decades, a study has revealed. It claims the cost of treating patients with mental health conditions including Alzheimer’s could soar to nearly �50billion a year within a generation.
And it warned the increase – which would see every family in the UKaffected – will pose huge practical and financial challenges to analready beleaguered Health Service.
The report, by the King’s Fund think-tank and published yesterday,estimates that the number of elderly suffering from dementia – whichincludes several brain and body-wasting conditions – will rise 61 percent by 2026, from 582,827 to 937,636.
However, that is dwarfed by the 108 per cent rise in the predicted total care bill, from �22.5 billion to nearly �47billion.
Niall Dickson, head of the King’s Fund, said: ‘The fact we are living longer is a cause for celebration.
‘But it will
mean
that
the health and social care systems will have to cope with a dramaticincrease in the number of people suffering from dementia.
‘Unless there is a major breakthrough indrugs to arrest the course of this illness, then there will be a greatneed for extra care and support, some of it quite intense.
‘It is also clear there is still a high level of unmet need and that will need to be addressed.’
Andrew Ketteringham, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘The projected growth in people with dementia is huge.
‘It will touch the lives of every one of us because every family in the country will have someone with dementia.
‘People think that dementia is about losing your memory but it takes your whole life away.
‘It progressively destroys your whole life. People end up not being able to walk, talk or eat.’
Last week, it was revealed that Gordon Brown is looking at ways toraise extra money to pay for the increasing cost of elderly care. ...read more...Risks found for anti-psychotic drugs, study says
Study links dementia treatments to death
Study links dementia treatments to death
Study links dementia treatments to death
Study links dementia treatments to death
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