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Dementia costs to triple within a generation

in
Date published: 
Friday, October 24, 2008
News source: 
Alzheimer’s Research Trust
Region: 
United Kingdom

Money - courtesy freeimages.co.uk 

Dementia will cost the UK economy £50 billion annually within 30 years, according to a new report by the government think tank Foresight, commissioned by the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills.

One of the report’s main findings is that early intervention is crucial in developing and maintaining mental capital and mental wellbeing including developing biomarkers to diagnose dementia earlier in older people.  
 The report, ‘Developing our brains from cradle to grave’, also states that, given the UK’s ageing population:   
  • 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 £17 billion a year – this is set to rise to £50 billion a year within 30 years.
Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said:  

“I warmly welcome DIUS’ recognition that we need to act now on dementia. This report is an urgent call to action that the government must respond to in a radical fashion. If we do not vastly increase dementia research funding now, the human and economic costs will be catastrophic.

Professor John Beddington, the Government's Chief Scientific Adviser and Director of the Foresight Programme, said:   

“There is good work being done but progress can be made and taxpayers money saved if government departments work together more effectively to tackle these issues.”

 Dementia costs the UK economy £17 billion currently, affecting 700,000 people. The number of people with dementia is expected to double within 30 years. 

“In these troubled economic times, the government may have to rethink its spending plans. Increasing investment in dementia research now would be highly prudent in the long run. If new research results in a five year delay in Alzheimer’s progression, we can halve the number of people with the disease.”   

 

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