Information for Journalists

Facts about dementia

What is dementia?

Dementia is a degenerative brain disorder that triggers a loss of brain function and is currently terminal. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, confusion, problems with speech and cognition. There are over 100 types of dementia with Alzheimer's disease being the most common. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia and Pick's disease amongst others.

Figures

• Over 820,000 people are affected by dementia in the UK. Alzheimer's Research Trust 2010
• This is set to rise to over 1,000 000 by 2025.
• One in three older people in the UK, over the age of 65, will be affected by dementia.
• Over 60% of all care home residents in the UK, aged over 65, have a form of dementia.
• More than 15,000 people have early-onset dementia (under the age of 65).
• Around 11,000 people from black and minority ethnic groups in the UK are affected by dementia.
• Dementia costs the UK £17 billion per annum.
• Carers of people with dementia save the UK around £6 billion per annum.

Alzheimer's Society 2007

Want Further Information?

Call the Media Team on 020 7874 7203 or email media@dementiauk.org
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