A Government campaign to raise awareness of the early signs and symptoms of dementia in elderly relatives has recently been launched as according to the Department of Health 6 out of 10 people with dementia in England, that's 400,000, go undiagnosed. Further, only around one third of adults aged over 40 agreed that they understood the differences between normal signs of ageing and signs of dementia.
Startling figures from Alzheimer’s Research UK indicate that the overall cost of dementia to society as a whole is £23 billion a year and that savings of £80 million could be made every year by improving hospital care for people with dementia.
Aimed at encouraging more people to seek an early diagnosis of dementia, the Government's campaign targets the family and friends of people at risk of dementia who are likely to be the first to see the signs and can encourage their relative or friend to see their GP. With many people seeing relatives and friends at Christmas and New year the timing of the campaign is particularly relevant.
The £2 million campaign will feature TV, radio and print ads. and was successfully piloted in the North West and Yorkshire & Humber NHS Regions in March this year.
Dementia is a progressive and eventually terminal condition but with early intervention and the right support people with dementia can continue to live well for many years.
Allied to loss of capacity is the worry and vulnerability of having to manage finances. With timely action a Lasting Power of Attorney lets a relative, friend or professional take the strain. The alternative is an expensive and time consuming application for a court order for Deputyship where, meanwhile, all assets are effectively frozen leading not only to financial loss but also further stress and hardship at an already difficult time for all involved.
Please see link here for our 'Help's at Hand brochure which reviews the key benefits of a Lasting Power of Attorney.