Experts Predict Dementia Epidemic

A £15m investment is urgently needed to deal with an epidemic in Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new report. The Scottish Executive has been urged to take action to cope with an expected increase in the number of Scots with dementia over coming years.

Alzheimer Scotland’s report said that the number of sufferers was expected to soar by 75% within the next 25 years. Charity officials said that a multi-million pound investment was needed to ease the situation.

Alzheimer Scotland’s survey, which has been launched in Glasgow, called on the executive develop a forward-looking strategy which invests in anticipatory care and support for self-management.

The also want cost-effective services and increased resources in line with the growth in numbers. Kate Fearnley, the charity’s policy director, said: “A 75% increase in the number of people with Alzheimer’s is expected over the next 25 years.

“As baby-boomers, such as myself, get older they will develop dementia at the same rate as they do now but there will be more of us. If we don’t do something, that’s what will happen and we must be ready for that.”

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.