Dementia

Dementia is an ever increasing challenge. The UK population is living for longer and as we age the risk of dementia related issues increases.

• It is estimated that in the UK, the number of people with dementia is approximately 850,000.
• Dementia mainly affects people over the age of 65. After that, the likelihood of developing dementia doubles nearly every five years.
• Sometimes dementia can develop earlier, presenting different issues for the person affected.
• The impact of this disease can devastate not only the sufferer but their family, friends and carers.

Carers

The NHS estimates that one in three people will care for a person with dementia in their lifetime.

There are 540k dementia carers in the UK:

• 270k are employed.
• 66,000 of them have reduced their working hours.
• 50,000 people have left work altogether.

The economic impact is thought to be around £23 billion a year. Experts think that this figure will triple by 2040. This is more than the cost of cancer, heart disease and stroke.

As well as the NHS, charities like Dementia UK offer guidance and practical support.

Source of data: NHS

How to protect your future:

• Ensure that you have a LPA (lasting Power of Attorney) for your financial affairs and one for your health. This gives you the comfort of knowing who will make decisions on your behalf should you lose your mental capacity due to dementia.
• Have a will written so that your wishes can be carried out in the event of your death.

Our Wills, Probate & Later Life Planning Team can talk through all your options. Just phone us on 01535 662644.