14 May 2023 , 16:02
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The Conservatives are not doing enough to help dementia sufferers and their families, a leading voice on the condition has said.
Successive Tory governments have failed to deliver on pledges to act on the disorder, the boss of Alzheimer’s Disease International said.
Ahead of Dementia Action Week, which starts today, Paola Barbarino singled out ex-PMs David Cameron and Boris Johnson for failing patients.
She said: “We have had a lot of promises since 2010 but very little has happened to improve the prospects of [sufferers] and their families.”
Ms Barbarino wants more done to help patients live independently.
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UK dementia cases are forecast to almost double to 1.6 million by 2040.
Boris Johnson was singled out for not doing enough (Getty Images)A Department of Health spokesman said: “We are doubling the funding for research to £160million a year and accelerating the development of the latest treatments and technology.”
A third of people who notice symptoms of dementia in themselves or a loved one stay silent and don’t follow it up for more than a month, a survey suggests.
Former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron (Getty Images)The study, for the Alzheimer’s Society, found just 15 per cent brought up the issue straight away, and 11% said they still had not raised their concerns after first spotting symptoms.
A quarter waited more than six months before they spoke to a medical professional.
The Alzheimer’s Society has launched a campaign to encourage people to seek support in getting a diagnosis.
This Dementia Action Week, Alzheimer’s Society is urging anyone worried about themselves or someone they love to take the first step and contact the charity for support. Visit alzheimers.org.uk/memoryloss for the charity’s symptoms checklist.