Fresh calls to increase rates of dementia diagnosis are to be made today ahead of World Alzheimer’s Day.
According to the World Alzheimer’s Report, published today, primary care practitioners are the key to expanding care of dementia.
The report says that 47 million people globally are affected by dementia and the number is set to treble by 2050.
Only about 50% of those affected in wealthy countries have been diagnosed – and only a tenth of those in poorer countries, the report says.
It says primary care services would need to be strengthened and supported – but could reduce the cost of care per patient by 40%.
The report says there should be planned and coordinated input from all levels of the health and social care sectors.
Report compiler Professor Martin Prince, from King’s College, London, UK, said: “This landmark report highlights the need to redesign and repurpose dementia care services for the challenges of the 21st Century.
"We have just ten to 15 years to get this right, planning and implementing a realistic and robust platform for delivering dementia healthcare for all, in advance of any new and more effective treatments becoming available.”
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