Number of diagnosed Alzheimer's sufferers rises by 1,000 in the North-East (From The Northern Echo)

Number of diagnosed Alzheimer's sufferers rises by 1,000 in the North-East

7:00am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News By Barry Nelson, Health Editor

THE number of people in the region diagnosed with dementia increased by a thousand last year.

New figures from the Alzheimer’s Society show that the number diagnosed rose from 14,000 to 15,000.

However the charity has revealed that only 46 per cent of people that are living with dementia have a diagnosis in the North East – an increase of nearly 2 per cent since last year.

It is thought that there are 17,500 people in the region that are living with the condition but are not receiving any of the benefits, drug treatments and support that comes from receiving a diagnosis.

Studies also show that an early diagnosis can save the taxpayer thousands of pounds, because it can delay someone needing care outside of their own home.* Redcar and Cleveland PCT saw the biggest improvement in diagnosis rates in the region, with an increase of nearly 5 per cent over the year whilst Stockton on Tees Teaching PCT saw the worst results, with a decrease of nearly 1 per cent in the number of people being diagnosed.

Caroline Burden, manager for Alzheimer’s Society in the North East said: “It’s shocking that well over half of people that are living with dementia still don’t have a diagnosis in the North East and so aren’t receiving the support, benefits and the medical treatments that are often available. We have seen an increase over the last year, but there is still a long way to go.”

“Everyone is a little bit forgetful now and again, but when memory loss starts to interfere with your daily life it is important to get it checked out as soon as possible.”

Alzheimer’s Society recommends that anyone concerned about memory loss should contact their GP.