A Kent MP is urging the chancellor to invest more in the fight against the country’s leading cause of death ahead of tomorrow’s budget.
Jim Dickson, who represents Dartford at Westminster, has called for action after his own mother’s dementia diagnosis left his family “shocked” and “fearing the worst”.
Speaking to KentOnline, the Labour politician said Judy had begun experiencing memory loss and behaviour in herself that was “unusual”.
Following intervention from his father William and her GP, and several tests later, she was diagnosed with dementia.
Mr Dickson said: "I know my mother and my dad were both very shocked to hear that this was the case and started to fear the worst about the sort of life she was going to have.
“Six years later she’s actually got a very good quality of life and that is really a product of what I am arguing for right across the NHS.”
One of his key arguments to help tackle the country’s biggest killer is early and accurate diagnosis.
Carrie Holmes, who is Kent regional manager for the Alzheimer’s Society, says there are more than 25,800 people living with dementia across Kent and Medway, yet only 15,500 people have an official diagnosis.
Early intervention “is crucial to manage symptoms and avoid ending up in crisis”, she added.
Mr Dickson says early recognition of the condition means it can be better managed as people can then be put on the right treatment regime and everyone can prepare for the care they need, something his mother is “a good example” of.
He said: “She has actually done quite well, is still very much engaged with the world and you can hold a great conversation with her.
“I think it is partly that, partly the right drugs, the fact that she lives in a good setting, she’s able to be at home with care on hand, and with my 93-year-old dad flying the flag and helping where he can, we’ve been able to manage it in as good a way as we possibly could.”
But, Mr Dickson added: “There is both a positive and a warning for all of us in the way in which my mother’s case was handled.
“We have been able to manage it in as good of a way as we possibly could but so many other people who are on this journey - and it is a difficult journey for the whole family - aren’t so fortunate.
“They either don’t have the means to support themselves at home, are not fortunate enough to get an early and accurate diagnosis and then have very limited choice about the type of setting in which their loved one will live the rest of their life.”
Mary Whitaker from Hever knows the issue only too well.
Her husband Richard was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's at just 56 but had been showing symptoms as early as 10 years before that.
Mary gave up her career in fashion to look after him full-time, but as his needs increased, he had to move into a care home.
They had to sell their house in order to cover the costs.
She said: “Early diagnosis is great but it must have trained people who know what the future is for you.
“It’s all very well knowing you’ve got dementia but if nobody is saying to you ‘Okay we’ve got this diagnosis, we’re going to sit down with you and map out your financial future and guide you through it’, you are left on your own.
“People ask me why I sold my house but how do I pay £2,000 a month mortgage when I can’t work because I am caring for my husband full-time and I have no savings?”
Mr Dickson said: “We really need a rapid roll-out of skills, training and dealing with people who have dementia.
“As a result of not having that it is having an eroding effect on the care system because people who are asked to support people with dementia are finding it difficult to do so.
“They actually end up leaving the care system, requiring us to recruit more staff and depleting the number of people who can help look after those who need support.”
Charities Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK estimate around £50-60 million of additional investment is needed to bring staff training up to the standard it needs to be.
And further care funding is needed to stop “an explosion of costs” over the next 15 years, says Mr Dickson.
Currently, dementia costs the UK £42 billion a year and if no intervention is taken, this could rise to £90 billion by 2040.
Last week, a new drug which slows the pace of Alzheimer's disease was rejected for widespread use in the NHS in England.
The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence said pioneering Donanemab is too expensive and would provide only a small benefit to patients.
Mr Dickson is hoping chancellor Rachel Reeves will find more money to invest in dementia research and care when she delivers Labour's first budget for 14 years tomorrow (October 30).
Mr Dickson said: “Dementia is an area in which, as we get an older population coming through, in the next 10 years there will be a higher percentage of people over 65.
“Therefore the number of people with dementia will grow, so if we don’t invest we are going to get that increase in costs.
“It’s an urgent call for action for the NHS but actually for all citizens and politicians like me who are concerned about this issue to make sure we see the change we need.”
If you are worried a loved one may be affected by dementia, you can visit Alzheimer’s Society’s website here or call their dementia helpline on 0333 150 3456 for expert advice and support.
Carrie said: “From a listening ear on the phone to a visit in person and opportunities to connect with others who understand, we’ll be there for you again and again and again, no matter what.”
