Nearly one particular quarter of families affected by dementia waited at least two years just before turning to a medical professional – convincing themselves that they would cope ideal without having any outdoors help, the charity discovered. In 4 per cent of instances, it was far more than five years just before aid for suspected dementia was sought.
On Monday Mr Hunt addressed the World Overall health Assembly in Geneva about the problem of dementia in ageing societies.
He warned that global estimates propose that the globally expense of dementia care – £600bn – mean it now takes up about one per cent of the world’s gross domestic solution, equivalent to the 18th greatest economy.
At the G8 summit on dementia in London final year, ministers pledged to double investment in analysis, in the hunt for a cure.
But ministers will say on Tuesday that the challenge for society is even greater, calling on communities to do more to ensure that the most vulnerable are not left in isolation.
The Health Secretary will announce the winners of new awards, supported by The Telegraph, to celebrate efforts by people, groups and firms to generate much more dementia-pleasant communities.
On Monday night Mr Hunt said: “Dementia is a growing, worldwide challenge and one particular of the most substantial healthcare concerns we encounter in this country. The Government is established to tackle this head-on – but we also need to have as a total society to respond to the disease. That’s why these awards are so critical – because they recognise men and women who are making a massive distinction to bettering dementia sufferers’ quality of lifestyle in their nearby communities.”
It follows a pledge by the Prime Minister to recruit one particular million “dementia friends” to undergo coaching in the situation and make certain these residing with dementia are provided far more assist in their communities and neighborhood retailers.
Most current figures propose that significantly less than half of the 800,000 people presently residing with dementia in the United kingdom have been formally diagnosed by GPs.
Ministers suspect that in several circumstances physicians are declining to make a formal diagnosis of dementia since they believe that carrying out so will result in undue distress to sufferers and relations.
But charities explained the new findings display that a lot of of people who suspect they or loved ones are suffering from condition are reluctant to come forward, with numerous fearing confronting their condition, even though other folks believed small aid was accessible.
Jeremy Hughes, Alzheimer’s Society chief executive, explained: “It’s worrying that so a lot of men and women are not looking for help. Receiving a diagnosis can aid individuals recognize what’s taking place to them and open the door to therapies and help that they otherwise wouldn’t have accessibility to. It also allows the two the man or woman with dementia and their carer to take manage of their lives and plan for the long term.”
He urged individuals who feared they have been struggling from dementia to seek out support, rather than “bury their heads in the sand.”
The findings came as a commentary in The Lancet by dozens of specialists warns that Britons need to embrace healthier lifestyles in order to lessen the risk of dementia.
A consensus statement led by public health officials says the public requirements to be persuaded to “think brain, believe heart” due to the fact actions to boost cardiac well being will also decrease the likelihood of dementia.
The group of specialists call for a new nationwide concentrate on dementia chance reduction, with action to tackle smoking, drinking, sedentary behaviour and poor diet plan.
They say a lot more awareness is essential of the hyperlinks between unhealthy lifestyles and dementia, and adjustments in policies to promote healthy living.
Dr Charles Alessi, senior advisor and dementia prevention lead at Public Health England, explained: “We want to start to “feel brain, think heart” as brain wellness is inexorably linked to heart health and we can add healthful years to our lives by minimizing hazards earlier in our lives.
“Public wellness programmes have contributed to a big decline in deaths from heart condition and stroke over the past 50 years – we now need to have to attain the same on dementia, which is one particular of the largest difficulties dealing with our society.”
The Alzheimer’s Society’s poll of one,043 individuals with dementia and their carers showed 54 per cent of instances waited 6 months just before going to their GP. In complete, 23 per cent waited at least two years, although 4 per cent waited at least five years ahead of they sought support.
A separate on the internet survey of 2,358 British adults found dementia is the situation people are most reluctant to seek aid for, in contrast to other wellness issues including critical heart and digestive problems.
Fear of dementia is exacerbating the condition, specialists warn
