Dementia is a global problem

The UK Government has announced it will double its funding for dementia research by 2015. It must ensure these resources go to where the burden of the disease is felt most. 62 per cent of people living with dementia are in lower and middle income countries (i), with the proportion predicted to increase to 71 per cent by 2050 (ii). It is estimated that there will be 5.05 million older people with dementia in sub-Saharan Africa alone by 2050 (iii).

The G8 Dementia Summit takes place against the backdrop of global ageing where the number of older people worldwide is set to increase dramatically over the next few decades. By 2050, there will be more people over the age of 60 than children under 15 years old for the first time in history and the greatest increases in the ageing population will be in developing countries (iv). Governments across the world are woefully ill-prepared to deal with chronic illnesses, such as dementia. Only 13 countries currently have national dementia plans in place (v).

The reality facing many older people in poorer countries is the denial of access to healthcare and services on the basis of their age. And the lack of training amongst healthcare staff in chronic illnesses.

While we wait for treatments and new diagnostics to become available – and for healthcare staff to be trained - we must do more to help those people who are suffering from dementia today and support greater prevention efforts.

We urge the UK Government to extend its commitment to tackling dementia in its international commitments:

- Older people and their carers should be included more explicitly in the UK Government's international development assistance focussing on health outcomes.

- The UK Government should ensure that ageing and older people feature prominently in the sustainable development framework that is set to replace the Millennium Development Goals post-2015.

- The UK Government should further support people with dementia and ensure their rights are fully protected under international human rights law by endorsing the creation of a UN convention for the rights of older people.

Among chronic illnesses, dementia makes by far the largest single contribution to disability and needs for care among older people. Governments around the world need to face up to this reality.

Notes

i,ii,iii,v, Alzheimers Disease International, The Global Impact of Dementia 2013-2050, Policy Brief for Heads of Government, 2013.

iv, UNDESA, Population Division, World Population Prospects, The 2010 Revision, New York, 2011.