Dementia

The total number of people in the area living with dementia is expected to reach 15,047 by 2021.

Unfortunately, recognising that someone close to us may have dementia often comes too late, resulting in a crisis point and delayed diagnosis. Early diagnosis can, however, lead to better quality of life and prolonged independence.

Memory problems are often put down to a natural part of getting older. However, this lack of understanding of the symptoms is believed to be why only 40 percent of people with dementia in England have a formal diagnosis. As such, there are hundreds of thousands of people in the country that could be going without the vital treatment and support that the NHS can offer.

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said:

People are afraid of dementia and rather than face the possibility someone they love has the condition, they can wrongly put memory problems down to ‘senior moments’. But if you are worried, the sooner you discuss it and help the person seek support the better.

Don’t wait until a crisis. Being diagnosed with dementia won’t make the condition worse but leaving it untreated will. We can’t cure dementia, but we can help you keep the person you love for longer through vital support the NHS can offer.

 For further information about the symptoms of dementia and the support available, visit: www.nhs.uk/dementia

 For advice, information and support visit The Alzheimer's Society

Watch a Video about Dementia

Signs and Symptoms of Dementia    

The following are signs and symptoms of dementia, and if people are concerned about themselves or someone else they should speak to their GP:

• Struggling to remember recent events, although they can easily recall things that happened in the past
• Finding it hard to follow conversations or programmes on TV
• Forgetting the names of friends or everyday objects
• Difficulty recalling things they have heard, seen or read
• Repeating themselves or losing the thread of what they are saying
• Having problems thinking and reasoning
• Feeling anxious, depressed or angry about their memory loss
• Finding that other people start to comment on their memory loss
• Feeling confused even when in a familiar environment

Dementia Facts

• Dementia describes different brain disorders that trigger a loss of brain function. These conditions are all usually progressive and eventually severe
• Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting 62 per cent of those diagnosed
• There are currently 650,000 people with dementia in England; 25 million people in the UK know a family member, close friend, or someone else with dementia
• Dementia costs the UK over £17 billion each year in care costs and hospital admissions
• Unpaid carers supporting someone with dementia save the economy £6 billion a year
• There are over 16,000 people under 65 with dementia in the UK
• Although dementia is a terminal condition, people can live with it for 7–12 years after diagnosis
• By 2025 there will be over 1 million people in the UK living with dementia
• In January 2011 the Alzheimer’s Society received 1,866 calls to its helpline