By 2050, two million people will be living with dementia in the UK, experts have predicted.
A new report from Alzheimer Europe (AE) estimates that the number of people in Europe living with the debilitating brain disease will increase by almost two thirds over the next 25 years, with the surge largely driven by cases of Alzheimer's disease, the most common form.
If AE's forecasting proves to be correct it will heap extra pressure on health services - and makes finding a cure more vital than ever before.
Last year, there were an estimated 1,204,368 people living with the memory-robbing condition in the UK, and that number is expected to rise by nearly 63 per cent to 1,959,592 by 2050.
It's a huge increase on previous estimates, including the Alzheimer's Society's forecast that there would be 1.4million people in Britain living with dementia come 2040.
Using data from 18 studies, AE's new report forecasted that one in every 26 Britons aged over 30 will be living with the devastating disease.
This means that by 2050, the estimated number of people living with some form of dementia will increase by a concerning 90 per cent.
Commenting on the findings, Jean Georges, executive director at Alzheimer Europe, said: 'The scale of the challenge posed by dementia across Europe is substantial and it's our sincere hope that our updated figures provide the impetus for decision-makers, to prioritise dementia and ensure it is addressed across the domains of health, research, disability policy and support for informal caregivers.
'In particular, policy-makers must work to improve care services, make investments in health infrastructure for diagnosis and treatments, as well as help for family, caregivers and supporters of people with dementia.
'As part of this, they must take into consideration the changing demographics of the population and the prevalence of conditions such as dementia.'
The call to action comes as recent analysis shows dementia patients continue to face a postcode lottery of care, with the NHS failing to hit diagnosis targets in more than half of local authorities across England.
Campaigners argue that people with dementia face a 'cruel injustice' – often paying higher care bills, while still having no drugs available on the NHS to cure, prevent or meaningfully slow the disease.
And analysis shows the NHS is still failing to meet the Government's ambition of diagnosing 66.7 per cent of dementia cases in most areas. The national average currently stands at 66.5 per cent.
In response to mounting criticism, the Government has pledged to deliver the first-ever Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia, designed to set national standards and improve care quality.
The new framework is hoped to set clearer standards for how tests and treatments are provided, help identify gaps in the pathway and push local NHS services to improve and coordinate better.
This could see an increase in the number of 'virtual wards' used to treat frail patients who would otherwise be stuck in hospital as well as community-based care groups and wearable devices which can alert healthcare professionals of a patient's deteriorating health.
The warning comes as figures revealed dementia is killing people at a faster-than-expected rate in the UK, with 2,500 excess deaths from the condition in England last year.
Earlier this month, experts outlined 56 evidence-based recommendations aimed at cutting dementia risk, including better control of high blood pressure and stronger public-health messaging.
Kieran Winterburn, Head of National Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, said: 'These figures remind us that dementia remains one of the biggest health challenges in the UK.
'Early and accurate diagnosis is crucial to unlock treatment, care and support that can help people manage dementia symptoms and avoid ending up in crisis.
'Right now, the UK Government is developing a new framework for the future of dementia. We are calling for this framework to be bold and ambitious to better support people living with dementia at earlier stages of the disease, and to ensure that overall harm, including the number of deaths, can be reduced through earlier support, innovation and community-centred care.'
Michelle Dyson CB, Chief Executive Officer at Alzheimer’s Society, said: 'Dementia is the biggest health and social care issue of our time. We know that one in three people born in the UK today will develop this condition in their lifetime.
'With prevalence on the rise, improving diagnosis, treatment options, care and support has never been more important.
'We are at a pivotal moment for dementia. In 2026 there are more clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease underway than ever before.
'The Government also has a unique opportunity to be bold and ambitious about the future of dementia care, through its upcoming 10 year plan, the Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia. We can beat dementia, but it will take a society to do it.'
WHAT IS DEMENTIA?
A GLOBAL CONCERN
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour.
There are many types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia.
Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?
The Alzheimer's Society reports there are more than 900,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. This is projected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting between 50 and 75 per cent of those diagnosed.
In the US, it's estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer's sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years.
As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.
IS THERE A CURE?
Currently there is no cure for dementia.
But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted, the more effective treatments can be.
Source: Alzheimer’s Society
