Alzheimer's can be prevented
Dementia is ruining the lives of more people while costing the state £23bn a year. It's time for intelligently funded researchIn February 2007 the Alzheimer's Society estimated that there were 700,000 sufferers of "late onset dementia", representing a cost to the nation of £17bn per year. Now the Alzheimer's Research Trust has found that there are 820,000 sufferers, costing the UK £23bn a year. This represents a 15% rise in the number of sufferers, and a 17 rise in the costs per person. Assisted suicide may be the answer for Terry Pratchett, but is unlikely to make a significant impact on dementia's grim demographics, nor reduce the agony of affected families.The call by the Alzheimer's Research Trust for increased research funding, supported by the Alzheimer's Society, is timely and correct. Only £61 is currently spent on dementia research per patient per year – compared to an annual cost to society...
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