The number of people living with dementia in the UK has been predicted to almost double to 1.6 million people come the year 2040, while the cost of dementia care will nearly triple to reach £45.4bn - up from the £15.7bn it is right now.

This is according to new research from the Alzheimer’s Society and the London School of Economics and Political Science, revealing that the total cost of the condition to the UK’s economy - which includes paid and unpaid social care, as well as costs to the NHS – has climbed to £34.7bn, predicted to climb further to £94.1bn by 2040.

Some 57 per cent of the social care costs fall on those with the illness and their families, with previous studies from the Society showing that someone with dementia will typically have to spend £100,000 on care, with many people having to sell their homes in order to meet costs.

Chief Executive of the organisation Jeremy Hughes noted that dementia is heartbreaking for all those involved and it isn’t right that they’re now having to fight in order to get the care and support they need, as well as fighting the disease at the same time.

“From the working mum struggling to find hundreds of pounds every week to ‘top up’ her mum’s council-funded care home place, to the woman who had to sell her home of 50 years to pay for her husband’s care – families affected by dementia are already at breaking point. With costs set to treble in the next two decades, how on earth will they cope?

“The cost of dementia care is too much for an individual to bear. It should be spread between us – just like schools, the NHS and other public services,” Mr Hughes went on to say.

There are different types of dementia and they typically affect people differently, especially in the early stages of the disease.

Cognitive symptoms can include difficulty recalling recent events, problems concentrating, planning or organisation, difficulties with decision-making, problems with language (such as issues following a conversation or struggling to find the right word) and issues with orientation, such as losing track of the date or day, or becoming confused about where they are.

Someone with dementia will also experience mood swings and can become irritable and frustrated, withdrawn, unusually sad or easily upset. It’s important to remember that dementia is progressive so the symptoms will gradually get worse over time, although it will vary from person to person as to how quickly this happens.

To read more about our dementia services, click here. We also have two specialist dementia care homes: Haviland House and Linfield House.

You can also get in touch with our friendly Customer Service Team on 01903 327327 or [email protected].