The kind of care that we can provide at Cleeve Lodge is invaluable in providing those who suffer from dementia with the kind of care they need, enabling them to live their life to the fullest while receiving all the assistance they need.
What is undoubtedly the case is that demand for such treatment is only going to rise as Britain’s population ages, as most (though not all) dementia patients are over the age of 65.
According to figures produced by the Alzheimer’s Society last year, there were 982,000 Britons with dementia. As the population ages, this figure is set to soar, with a projected increase to 1.4 million by 2040 - a figure which is higher than the population of Birmingham.
Some might hope for medical breakthroughs that may prevent such a steep increase, but at present, that is not happening.
This is a point that is important to bear in mind, following the decision by the government’s National Institute for Care and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in declining to approve two new drugs - Donanemab and Lecanemab - that are designed to slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
It is not just a case of cost, but an assessment that the cost is not justified for two drugs that, NICE decided after consultation, offered benefits that were “too small” for the investment to be worth it.
What that indicates is that even if the drugs were to be offered on the NHS, they would only have a minor effect in slowing down the increase in dementia. It might mean, for instance, some people do not need to enter care homes until a little later. It would not mean they don’t have to do so at all.
If you have just been diagnosed or a loved one has, your situation will be far from uncommon. Find out today what sort of care we can provide. |