Letter to the editor: vitally important request for the next government
People living with dementia need the next Government to make dementia a priority
Dear Editor,
People in Sussex need action on dementia now.
At this General Election, candidates from all political parties must acknowledge that dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, and the greatest health and social care challenge we face.
Alzheimer’s Society research shows that one in three people born today will develop dementia in their lifetime and with over 31,600 people living with dementia across East and West Sussex it is time decision makers at a local and national level address the biggest social care challenge of our time: dementia.
As things stand, the burden of dementia falls on families. Families shoulder 63% of the care costs of dementia, which is at an overwhelming £42 billion annually in the UK. Without action, this figure will more than double to £90 billion by 2040. This means families in your constituency are paying for failings in the wider system that for too long have been overlooked. Failings that, if elected, your candidates have the power to change, locally and nationally.
The dementia diagnosis rate targets across the UK are not ambitious enough, and a third of people living with dementia in England do not have a diagnosis.
This means people can’t access the vital care and support they deserve and will not be able to receive new treatments for which they may be eligible, if approved.
Alzheimer’s Society is calling on the next UK government to:
- Deliver a long-term social care workforce strategy, so that we have enough well-trained staff to provide high-quality, personalised dementia care
- Set new, ambitious dementia diagnosis rate targets accompanied by funded plans to deliver early, accurate high-quality diagnosis
- Publish plans by healthcare systems across the UK on delivering disease-modifying treatments, including investment in the diagnostic workforce and infrastructure.
No one in East Sussex should face dementia alone. If you are worried about yourself, or someone close to you, then check your symptoms today using Alzheimer’s Society’s symptom checklist. Visit alzheimers.org.uk or call their Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456.
Your sincerely,
Luke Symons
Local Systems Influencing Officer
Alzheimer’s Society