60% of people with dementia go undiagnosed

7th November 2011 - Six out of 10 people with dementia in England go undiagnosed. The Government says that means almost 400,000 people could be going without the vital support the NHS and social care services can offer.

In a survey carried out for the Department of Health, only around a third of adults aged over 40 agreed that they understood the differences between normal signs of ageing and signs of dementia.

The word dementia describes a group of symptoms including memory loss, confusion and mood changes. It can't be cured, but if it's detected early, there are ways it can be slowed down.

The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.

The campaign

The national campaign to raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of dementia is being launched by Care Services Minister, Paul Burstow. In a press release he said: "People are afraid of dementia and rather than face the possibility someone we love has the condition, we can wrongly put memory problems down to 'senior moments'.

"But if we are worried, the sooner we discuss it and help the person seek support the better. Don’t wait until a crisis. Being diagnosed with dementia won’t make the condition worse but leaving it untreated will."

The campaign will feature TV, radio and print ads and has already proved successful after being piloted in the North West and Yorkshire & Humber NHS Regions. It targets the family and friends of people at risk of dementia who are likely to be the first to witness the signs and can encourage their loved one to see their GP.

With many people seeing relatives at Christmas, the timing of the campaign is particularly poignant. The Alzheimer’s Society had 43% more calls to its helpline in January this year than in December 2010.

Empowering

Dr Simon Ridley, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, which has welcomed the campaign, said in a press release:"It’s a travesty that 60% of people with dementia in England are not getting the diagnosis they need. Although people may be fearful of the worst, a diagnosis can empower them to access the right treatments and support to preserve independence.

"In our search for a treatment that can stop dementia in its tracks, it’s become increasingly clear that any new drugs will need to be given early in order to have an effect. The ability to diagnose dementia is crucial to the search for an effective treatment, which is why we’re investing in world-leading research into diagnosis - such as a major study at King’s College London to find a simple blood test for Alzheimer’s disease, which carries real promise."