Dementia will cost UK economy £1BILLION every week by 2025, experts warn
Dementia will cost the UK economy £1 billion every week by 2025, experts warn.
A report from the Alzheimer's Society calculated that the cost of social care and unpaid carers will reach £50 billion by the end of next year.
The increasing number of diagnoses combined with pressure on the NHS has led to a rise in the number of long-term or avoidable hospital admissions, worsening symptoms for many people with dementia.
A report from the Alzheimer's Society calculated that the cost of social care and unpaid carers will reach £50 billion by the end of next year
Today, leading dementia charities, doctors and researchers are joining forces to create the Geller Commission to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions for people with the disease.
The committee will investigate avoidable hospital admissions and occupancy, which costs thousands of lives, as well as the NHS, and ask the public and health experts to contribute to its work.
More than 900,000 people in Britain are currently living with dementia and the condition is the biggest cause of death in Britain.
Kate Lee, from the Alzheimer's Society, said: 'High-quality care is vital to keeping people safe and reducing the risk of hospital admission due to avoidable falls or infections.
But they can also be a sign of dementia – the memory-robbing disorder that affects almost 1 million Britons and 7 million Americans
'Dementia is the biggest health and social care challenge of our time, and as the population ages and prevalence increases, it is time for reform.'
In an open letter published today, Commission members underlined the importance of a change in the approach to hospital care for people with dementia and invited national input into the public consultation.
Their Dementia Pathways Report aims to use public evidence and clinical expertise to provide clear recommendations, informed by the medical, healthcare and technology sectors.
Laurence Geller, hotelier, philanthropist and chair of the committee, said: 'We know that all too often, when people with dementia are admitted to hospital, the care they receive is not always appropriate for their condition, and their time in the hospital can increase the chance of a hospital stay. speed of the disease.
'I hope that by convening this Commission we can find practical solutions to improve the lives of people living with the consequences of a dementia diagnosis and reduce the unnecessary pressure on the healthcare system.'
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological conditions
A GLOBAL CARE
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological conditions (affecting the brain) that affect memory, thinking and behavior.
There are many forms of dementia, of which Alzheimer's disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of different forms of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global problem, but it is most common in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live to a very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer's Society reports that there are currently more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK. This number is expected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 percent of those diagnosed.
There are an estimated 5.5 million people in the US with Alzheimer's disease. A similar percentage increase is expected in the coming years.
As a person's age increases, so does the risk that he or she will develop dementia.
The number of diagnoses is increasing, but it is believed that many people with dementia are still undiagnosed.
IS THERE A TREATMENT?
There is currently no medicine against dementia.
But new medications can slow its progression and the sooner it is caught, the more effective treatments can be.
Source: Alzheimer's Association