03/05/2007

Experts expect dementia to rise in Northern Ireland

Dementia is set to soar in Northern Ireland in the next ten years, according to a report by the Alzheimer’s Society.

The report reveals experts are forecasting a 27% rise of those in the province living with dementia - more than 20,500 people. Currently the illness affects 16,000 people.

Claire Keatinge, Northern Ireland Director of the Alzheimer’s Society, says: “This report gives us a clear picture of the scale of dementia here and now. We know that the number of people with dementia is set to increase by nearly a third over the next decade.

“We need dementia to be treated as a health and social care priority by the newly elected NI Assembly, to ensure that people with dementia and their carers throughout NI, have services and support that meet their needs.”

Together with Scotland, Northern Ireland has the highest proportion of people over 65 living in care homes in the UK with fewer people receiving day care or domiciliary services.

The report also reveals that fewer people in Northern Ireland with the condition get care at homes, compared with most other parts of the UK.

(JM/SP)

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