- In 2014, there were 73,189 deaths with a mention of dementia in England
- This was a nine per cent increase on the statistics made available in 2001
- Experts suspect the rise is partly to do with Britain’s ageing population
- But an improvement in death records may have inflated figures, they say
Ben Spencer Medical Correspondent For The Daily Mail
27
View
comments
Nearly one in six people have developed dementia by the time of their death, new figures show.
A report by Public Health England shows the number of people who died with dementia more than doubled in 13 years, from 6.6 per cent in 2001 to 15.8 per cent in 2014, the latest year for which records are available.
An estimated 850,000 people in the UK are thought to be living with dementia, with figures expected to rise to one million by 2025, and two million by 2050.
In 2014 there were a total of 73,189 deaths with a recorded mention of the condition.
In 2014, there were 73,189 deaths with a mention of dementia in England. This was a nine per cent increase on the statistics made available in 2001, a report found
Experts suspect the dramatic rise is partly to do with Britain’s ageing population, but an improvement in death records may have inflated the figures.
Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: ‘These figures underline an inescapable truth – that with no treatments to stop or slow the diseases that cause dementia, no-one currently survives a diagnosis.
Father given a kidney by his mother gets ANOTHER from his…
Why cervical cancer patients are being let down: Charity…
Is social media behind a surge in self harm? Young women…
Transplant patient comes face-to-face with his own HEART…
‘With an ageing population, we have seen the numbers of people developing the condition increase over time, and current projections show this number will continue to grow unless new treatments or preventions can be found.
‘It’s likely the rise in mentions of dementia on death certificates is also partly a reflection of recent changes in the approach to death records.
Experts suspect the dramatic rise is partly to do with Britain’s ageing population, but an improvement in death records may have inflated the figures
‘There is now greater understanding dementia is caused by diseases that physically attack the brain, with diseases like Alzheimer’s now more likely to be acknowledged as a cause of death.’
The report, which uses data from the National Dementia Intelligence Network and National End of Life Care Intelligence Network, shows only 8 per cent of people with dementia die at home.
This is compared to 21 per cent of the general population aged over 65 – the rest die in hospital or care homes.
The Alzheimer’s Society said the report highlights the ‘shameful inequality’ between people dying with dementia and those dying without the condition.
Martina Kane, senior policy officer at the Alzheimer’s Society said: ‘Dementia is still being overlooked as a terminal illness.
‘Consequently, we continue to see the sustained failure to prepare and plan for end of life care for people with the condition.
‘Everyone has the right to a dignified death in a place of their choosing, yet this report shows people with dementia are shamefully being treated as second class citizens.’
Share or comment on this article
e-mail
Most watched News videos
LAPD searching for man who punched a woman in Venice Beach
Arizona burros see grass for the first time and are skeptical
Body cam footage shows police fatally shooting a 6-year-old boy
Alicia Machado appears topless on reality show The Farm
Moment ‘ghost’ suddenly flings open door and smashes glass
Adorable video of Prince George and Princess Charlotte
Rafael Nadal tennis match stopped as mum looks for lost child
Angry mob attacks a Fresno Police car in broad daylight
George and Charlotte look entertained at first joint engagement
Wreckage and debris from train crash in Hoboken New Jersey
Marlins fans, team bid farewell to pitcher Jose Fernandez
Embarrassing moment weather girl’s nipple slips live on TV
‘Your parents are not good people’: Bill Clinton ‘rape’…
Sex on a reality TV show, a Playboy photo shoot, a threat to…
Jose Fernandez’s pregnant girlfriend breaks cover to say…
Police begin questioning engineer over ‘high speed’ of…
JP Morgan worker, 37, and her trader sister, 42, from…
Mind the gap! Aides panic as William and Kate make spur of…
Pictured: The hero firefighter who tackled South Carolina…
Muslim journalist, 22, poses for PLAYBOY wearing a hijab -…
The shocking moment a man punches a young woman in the face…
EXCLUSIVE: Pitcher Jose Fernandez broke off his engagement…
‘I never saw a kid, bro’: Police release graphic video boy,…
‘Pop!’ Princess Charlotte’s first word in public as she…
Comments (27)
Share what you think
-
Newest -
Oldest -
Best rated -
Worst rated
The comments below have not been moderated.
The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.
Find out now