Response to announcement of increase in funding for dementia research
Carers Trust, the largest charity for carers, welcomes the announcement by the Prime Minister today of an increase in funding for dementia research, at the G8 Dementia Summit. A cure for dementia is vital for future generations as well as those currently diagnosed with this condition. However research into the care and support needed by people with dementia, and unpaid carers – friends and family who support them – is also urgently needed.
Currently there are 550,000 carers of people with dementia in England alone who provide the vast majority of care to people with dementia. Many of these carers struggle with the impact of caring on their own health and wellbeing. A tiny percentage of the additional funding pledged today would make a huge difference to understanding the needs of those carers supporting family and friends with dementia and enable better support to be provided.
Carers Trust's recent research: A Road Less Rocky: Supporting Carers of People with Dementia highlighted a number of key critical points where health and social care professionals are missing opportunities to provide carers with vital information, advice and support.
Thea Stein, Chief Executive of Carers Trust, says: “Carers Trust supports the government's dedication to find a cure for dementia. We hope the research funding announced today can also be used to understand what would improve support for people with dementia today and their carers, as well as finding a cure for the future
