Alzheimer's Society Comment On Government Foresight Report: Mental Capital And Wellbeing, UK

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Also Included In: Mental Health
Article Date: 24 Oct 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Proposals aimed at helping society realise its mental potential at every stage of peoples' lives are contained in a major new report published today by Foresight.

The study highlights the aging population as one of the three key areas to tackle. Key points include:

- We need to act now - new treatments could take years to become available so protective lifestyles need to be adopted now by the middle aged;

- Addressing dementia is a priority. By 2071 the number of over 65's could nearly double to over 21 million, and those aged 80 could more than treble to 9.5 million

- Treating dementia costs the UK £17 billion a year - this is set to rise to £50 billion a year within 30 years;

- Scientific developments, such as biomarkers could help detect dementia earlier. (Biomarkers are objective biological measures associated with presence of a disease, increased risk for it, or response to treatment. MRI scans are one example). Early detection could help the development of new drugs, improve potential therapeutic benefit of treatment, enhance quality of life for patients and reduce financial burden of health care services in the long term.

Alzheimer's Society comment;

With the number of people with dementia set to rise to over a million people in less than 20 years, dementia is the health and social care challenge of the century. To meet this challenge we must invest in research today to help identify people at risk and to develop early interventions to tackle dementia. This investment needs to go hand in hand with awareness campaigns educating people that they can reduce their risk of dementia by eating a healthy balanced diet and taking regular exercise.

We hope the forthcoming National Dementia Strategy, due to be published next month, will help us prepare for the impact of dementia in the future.

Dr Susanne Sorensen
Head of Research
Alzheimer's Society

Information about Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with all forms dementia and their carers. It provides information and education, support for carers, and quality day and home care. It funds medical and scientific research and campaigns for improved health and social services and greater public understanding of dementia.

Alzheimer's Society provides a national help line on 0845 3000 336 and website http://www.alzheimers.org.uk. Please include this information in any publication that uses these comments.

Alzheimer's Society