The Dementia Epidemic: Alzheimer Scotland Report Launched

Monday 4th June 2007

To: News/Health/Community Editors

The Dementia Epidemic: Alzheimer Scotland Report Launched

Alzheimer Scotland’s major new report, The Dementia Epidemic - Where Scotland is Now and the Challenge Ahead, was launched today at the Dementia Awareness Week conference in Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall. The report highlights the large and rapidly-growing numbers of people with dementia in Scotland and the economic impact now and in the future. It sets out what strategies need to be put in place to manage or reduce the increase. The Executive Summary of the report can be read here.

Jim Jackson, Chief Executive at Alzheimer Scotland, said, “We are looking at what can only be called an epidemic. Unless we act now, in under 25 years there will be 75% more people with dementia in Scotland, and 75% more associated costs. As the report shows, even now, services are not always there when they are needed. It is essential that we make dementia a priority, and set in place a forward-looking strategy. We need to take action to minimise the numbers of people developing dementia and invest in anticipatory care, support for self management and research. We cannot be complacent – people with dementia and carers need sufficient good quality and cost-effective services now – and we need a strategy in place that ensures that resources are increased in line with the growth in numbers.”

There are between 58,000 and 65,000 people with dementia in Scotland in 2007, 1,350 to 1,650 of whom are under 65. By 2031 there will be approximately 102,000 to 114,000 people with dementia. The economic impact in 2007 is estimated to be between £1.5 and £1.7 billion, rising to £2.6 - £2.9 billion (at today’s prices) in 2031.

Robert Steward, carer, said “As a carer, I am understandably concerned not only for my own myself, but also my friends who care for relatives with dementia now and will do so in the future. I welcome this report and hope that by highlighting the needs of people with dementia and their carers, it will raise awareness of this issue in the years to come and prompt an improvement in support at national and local level across Scotland.”

ENDS

Please give our Freephone 24hr Dementia Helpline telephone number: 0808 808 3000 and our website address: www.alzscot.org at the end of articles.

Contact details:
Jim Jackson, Chief Executive, tel 0131 243 1453, jjackson@alzscot.org
Kate Fearnley, Policy Director, tel 0131 243 1453, mob 07791 028 317, kfearnley@alzscot.org
Kirsty Jardine, Awareness Manager, tel 0131 243 1453, mob 07747 025041, kjardine@alzscot.org

Note for Editor:
Dementia affects 58,000 – 65,000 people in Scotland.
Alzheimer’s disease is the main form of dementia. The second most common is vascular dementia. As yet there is no cure.

Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s foremost voluntary organisation working for people with dementia and their carers. It:
• speaks out for the rights and concerns of people with dementia and their carers;
• operates services on over 60 sites throughout Scotland providing practical services such as day, evening and weekend centres, home care and befriending and carers' support services;
• provides the 24 hour national freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000);
• provides the website www.alzscot.org;
• supports a network of over 40 carers' support groups;
• provides information to carers, professionals and people with dementia;
• publishes leaflets, booklets, reports and a quarterly newsletter keeping carers and professionals up-to-date
• has a research programme.

Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Registered Office: 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 7RN. It is recognised as a charity by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315.