Our response to National Records of Scotland report on dementia deaths

Our response

National Records of Scotland has today published a new report on dementia deaths in 2024. The latest figures show there were 6,612 deaths in 2024 – an increase of 1.9% on the previous year. Dementia continues to be one of the leading causes of death in Scotland, accounting for around one in 10 of all deaths. Almost two-thirds of dementia deaths were women (64%).

Statement from our Chief Executive Henry Simmons:

These latest figures published by the National Records of Scotland show that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias remain among the leading causes of death in Scotland. Thousands of people across the country are mourning the loss of friends and family members, and each year the numbers increase. Yet again women are disproportionately affected.

This is another wake-up call for Scotland and a clear sign that dementia must be treated as a priority, and yet dementia care services across the country are facing devastating funding cuts.

We must not sleepwalk into a dementia care crisis, and the time to act is now.

These latest figures show that care homes have effectively become hospices for people with dementia, with almost two-thirds of dementia deaths – 4,258 – happening in those settings.

Our research also shows that there are around 15,000 people in care homes right now with advanced dementia. Care homes are increasingly having to provide palliative and end-of-life care – something they were never designed to do. Many people are being unfairly asked to pay for that care, despite the fact it is unequivocably health care.

There is currently no long term care strategy in Scotland and the type of care being provided varies from area to area.

This is why Alzheimer Scotland is calling for a clear national plan, and the introduction of a guaranteed pathway of dementia care that respects people’s rights, listens to their voices and supports them at every stage.

Other major health conditions like cancer, heart disease and diabetes have clear national care pathways. These guarantee timely diagnosis, consistent treatment and specialist support no matter where someone lives.

But for dementia, there is no such guarantee. Instead, people are fighting to receive even basic dementia care, and finding that:

• early diagnosis is patchy and inconsistent
• post-diagnostic support is a postcode lottery
• families and carers are left waiting until crisis before they can access help
• our open market-based care home system is on the brink of collapse.

This injustice cannot continue. Evidence-based interventions must be given to everyone with a dementia diagnosis throughout the progression of their condition – every time, everywhere throughout Scotland.

These new figures also underline the importance of effective prevention strategies and raising awareness of the fact that up to 45% of dementias worldwide can be prevented, often with simple lifestyle changes. It’s crucial to reach out as early as possible into our schools and wider communities to actively engage with the public and target people known to be at risk of brain diseases. That is why Alzheimer Scotland’s prevention arm, Brain Health Scotland, is expanding its work in this area over the coming year by travelling to communities across the country to spread key prevention messages.

Dementia must be made a priority by our political and healthcare leaders and we must act now.

• Alzheimer Scotland will continue to deliver support to those affected by dementia to ensure that nobody faces dementia alone. Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helplineis available on 0808 808 3000.