Failure to diagnose dementia remains prominent care sector concern

The number of people diagnosed with dementia in England and Wales continues to rise, according to figures gathered by the Alzheimer’s Society.

Confirmed diagnoses have risen by 18,000 since one year ago, now reaching 283,000, with no indication that the rise will lessen at all in the coming years due to the elderly population boom.

As the charity have always been keen to point out, the figures do not accurately represent the true extent of people in England and Wales who are suffering from the effects of dementia, with an estimated 400,000 undiagnosed cases.

Responding to the figures, chief executive Jeremy Hughes was keen to point out the value of securing an early diagnosis in relation to long term treatment, commenting ‘a diagnosis opens the door to support, benefits and the possibility of medical treatment which can make a real difference to people’s lives. If you find that memory loss is starting to interfere with daily life then it’s important to get it checked out as soon as possible. The sooner people are diagnosed, the sooner they can get the support they need.’

Campaigns to increase dementia awareness continue to grow, gathering support from famous names such as author Sir Terry Pratchett, who revealed in 2007 he was himself diagnosed and has since been made a ‘Champion of Alzheimer’s’ by the Medical Journalists Association.

A Government White Paper on the reform of the care system, as proposed by the Dilnot Commission, is expected in April, in which the effective provision and financing of care for an increasing number of dementia sufferers will be among the major concerns of any subsequent legislation.