Age Concern England And Help The Aged Respond To The Government's Dementia Strategy, UK

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 04 Feb 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Reacting to the Government's National Dementia Strategy announcing a focus on early diagnosis and improved treatment for patients, Paul Cann, Director of Policy and External Relations for Help the Aged, says:

"Dementia is fast becoming the hidden epidemic of the 21st century so the Government's focus on early diagnosis and support is a positive step. But hand in hand with early diagnosis there needs to be a commitment to providing more money for research into the causes of dementia. After years of well-funded research, early diagnosis now gives cancer sufferers the hope of recovery - without essential research, early diagnosis brings no such hope for dementia patients.

"The £1 billion this strategy is expected to save should be spent finding long term solutions to this problem as well as improving the lives of those living with the condition. Help the Aged funds essential research which hopefully may one day bring a cure to these degenerative and heart-breaking conditions."

Gordon Lishman, Director General of Age Concern, says:

"If implemented well, the Government's national dementia strategy has huge potential to improve the lives of older people and their carers. However, we mustn't be fooled into thinking that this new strategy will address all the mental health needs of older people.

"A focus on early diagnosis, a network of memory clinics and extra training for GPs are all very welcome, as despite the expected growth in the number of people with dementia, there is still stigma and fear about the illness. It is estimated that by 2025 there will be one million people in the UK with dementia, which will mean more and more NHS services will need to be prepared to respond to their complex needs.

"The care of older people with dementia in general hospitals is often very poor, therefore all doctors and nurses need training to ensure they provide the best quality of care for people with the illness. Existing resources can be used more effectively, but significant investment is needed to ensure the NHS can meet the health needs of its ageing population."

Notes

- The proportion of people with dementia doubles for every 5 year age group. One third of people over 95 years old have dementia
- Two thirds of people with dementia are women
- The financial cost of dementia to the UK is £17 billion a year
- Family carers of people with dementia save the UK over £6 billion a year

1. The Disconnected Mind is a major scientific study into early mental decline funded by Help the Aged. The study takes unique data from the 1947 Scottish Mental Survey and combines it with a decade of new research using the latest techniques, such as MRI scanning. By revisiting 1,000 of the original participants from 1947, who are now in their 70's, the study will span 60 years and 1,000 lives to unlock the secrets of mental decline. The goal is to produce essential new understanding that will lead to medical solutions or suggest lifestyle changes that can help reduce the condition. Help the Aged is running The Disconnected Mind study and is currently appealing for the donations it needs to support this vital research through to its conclusion in 2015. For more information visit http://www.disconnectedmind.org.uk

2. Age Concern and Help the Aged are joining together to form a single charity dedicated to improving the lives of older people.

3. Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life. Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. Visit http://hwww.helptheaged.org.uk or call 0207 239 1982.

4. Age Concern is the largest organisation in the UK working for older people. Everyday we are in touch with thousands of older people, enabling them to make more of life. Our services include information and advice, befriending, day centres, lunch clubs, transport services, homes visits and advocacy services. More information can be found on our website.

Help the Aged

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