Dementia Action Week: As the population ages, the economic toll of dementia on the UK is projected to skyrocket, reaching £91 billion a year by 2040, according to a study conducted for the Alzheimer’s Society
The study, considered the largest of its kind in Britain, shows the financial burden of the disease. Currently standing at £42.5 billion annually, this figure is set to more than double in less than two decades unless urgent action is taken.
The financial impact of Dementia
Dementia’s impact extends far beyond healthcare and social care services. It limits the loss of productivity, both for patients and their caregivers, as well as the hidden costs such as legal fees and increased energy consumption.
Unpaid care, provided predominantly by family members and friends, represents a significant portion of these costs, expected to surge from £21.1 billion to £40.1 billion by 2040.
The research shows the urgent need for improved early diagnosis and intervention. Despite the benefits of identifying dementia at an early stage, only a small fraction of the total healthcare costs are currently allocated to this aspect.
“Dementia’s devastating impact is colossal, on the lives of those it affects, on the healthcare system and on the economy”, said Kate Lee, the Alzheimer’s Society’s chief executive who is calling for the “urgent need to prioritise early diagnosis”.
Better Dementia support
The study highlights the personal toll of dementia, by individuals directly affected. Lack of support and delayed diagnosis can cause financial strain on many people.
While the Department of Health and Social Care did not directly address the findings, it emphasised the importance of timely diagnosis and promised to increase funding for dementia research to £160 million. Dementia will also be included in the forthcoming major conditions strategy.
The estimated rise in dementia cases, from approximately one million to 1.6 million by 2040, serves as a reminder of the need for action. Failure to address this crisis could have consequences not only for individuals and their families but for the broader economy as well.
This study shows the need to prioritise dementia as a public health and social care concern, ensuring timely diagnosis, and providing the right support for those affected.
Early testing for better support
According to Patrick Holford, CEO of dementia prevention charity foodforthebrain.org “The reality is that over 80 per cent of dementia could be prevented right now if we took prevention seriously. The quickest wins are testing people, for free, for cognitive function then identifying those at risk and why they are at risk.”
“Dementia is diagnosed with a cognitive function test and changes occur at least thirty years before a diagnosis. This is doable right now with no cost at all.”
Holford suggests that easy improvements can be made by boosting omega-3 intake through seafood and supplements, as well as reducing elevated homocysteine levels with B vitamins. Research conducted at Loma Linda University in California shows that individuals with higher omega-3 levels tend to exhibit better cognitive function and greater brain density.
