'Urgent action needed to address dementia issues'

The Alzheimer’s Research UK has urged the government to take immediate action to address the challenge of dementia to improve healthy ageing process.

Following findings that the government’s 'Ageing Society Grand Challenge' was not on track, the charity warned that the government would fail to improve healthier ageing until it responded to dementia-related challenges.

A report released on Friday (January 15) by the Lords' Science and Technology Committee has warned that the government is failing in its mission to ensure healthy aging.

The government had earlier pledged to give people five extra years of healthier living by 2035.

The dementia research charity added that the government needs to do more to help in the search for life-changing treatments for dementia, while also improving dementia prevention.

The charity has also launched a public awareness campaign this week titled ‘Think Brain Health’, to encourage people to look after their brains throughout life and to reduce their risk of dementia.

As part of its campaign, Alzheimer’s Research UK is urging the government to work with it to develop a national brain health strategy to raise much-needed awareness, implement cost-effective interventions, and fund more research into prevention.

Susan Mitchell, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “People in their later years are being desperately let down and this is not acceptable. Unfortunately until government effectively responds to the challenge of dementia, it will fail to give people the healthier years they deserve as they age.

“…We’re calling on government to act now and improve the outlook for our ageing population. Government must do this by delivering on its election promise to double funding for dementia research to over £160 million a year, while also working with Alzheimer’s Research UK to develop a national brain health strategy.

“It is critical that people across all ages are aware about the steps they can take to keep their brains healthy and ultimately, reduce their risk of developing dementia. While research suggests up to 40 per cent of dementia cases could be linked to factors we may be able to influence, only a third of people believe they can reduce their risk...”