Alzheimer's Society Response To Gordon Brown's Speech At The Labour Party Conference, UK

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 24 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Rarely have we heard Alzheimer's singled out in such an important speech. With the numbers of people living with dementia set to rise to over a million in the next 15 years, the need to find new cures and treatments could not be greater.

Dementia is drastically underfunded. The £15 billion investment promised for research into conditions such as dementia could transform the lives of millions in the future.

Planned improvements to Social Care that put older people back in the driving seat are also an encouraging sign. We now need to see words transformed into action if we are to tackle major health conditions such as dementia and allow people to live with the vision of dignity and hope outlined by Gordon Brown.

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive

To read a full copy of the speech go to http://www.labour.org.uk/gordon_brown_conference

Notes

1 in 3 people over 65 will die with dementia.

700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051.

Alzheimer's Society campaigns for and champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions who care for them. Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

As a charity, Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to care for people today and to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting http://www.alzheimers.org.uk.

Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336 or visit http://www.alzheimers.org.uk

Alzheimer's Society