Study reveals over 500 people here are living with dementia

More than 500 people are living with dementia in Ballymoney and Moyle according to new figures released by Alzheimer’s Society and the charity’s latest report reveals many of those people are not living well.

There are currently 204 people in Moyle and 344 in Ballymoney living with dementia.

Alzheimer’s Society is urging the Department of Health, Social Service and Public Safety DHSSPS to take full advantage of our integrated health and social care system to ensure that people with dementia receive the care and support they need from diagnosis to end of life and prioritise the implementation of Integrated Care Partnerships- a critical component of Transforming Your Care.

Dementia UK: The Second Edition, produced by London School of Economics and King’s College London for the charity provides the most comprehensive review of dementia in the UK to date.

It reveals that there are now 19,765 people living with dementia in Northern Ireland and that there will be 850,000 people living with the condition in the UK by 2015, costing the UK £26 billion a year.

Despite these huge costs – two-thirds of which is shouldered by people with dementia, their carers and families – tens of thousands of people with dementia are still living without the right support to do everyday tasks like getting dressed, eating and going to the toilet.

As well as Dementia UK, Alzheimer’s Society has also published Dementia 2014: An Opportunity for Change which provides a snapshot of how well people with dementia are living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It draws together evidence from a survey of over 1,000 people with dementia and their carers and more than 2,000 members of the public.

Bernadine McCrory, Alzheimer’s Society Director of Operations in Northern Ireland, said:

“With over 19,700 people living with dementia in Northern Ireland and many more friends and family affected by the condition, it is vital the government takes action.”