Dementia amongst top five causes of death, say new figures

37,762 deaths in 2011 were attributed to a form of dementia. The condition is the second highest cause of death in women and fifth highest in men, with the deaths of 25,767 women and 11,995 men attributable to a form of dementia.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'Dementia is the biggest health challenge of our generation and this is reflected by these latest findings. With numbers of people with the condition expected to soar to over a million in the next decade, the rates we are seeing today are likely to be a fraction of the numbers in future. At the same time, the sharp increase in the past 10 years could also be a sign of greater medical understanding and recording of dementia which is something that has to be welcomed.

'Too often we hear of people with dementia not dying in the manner they want to. Staff working with people with dementia who might be nearing the end of their lives need to receive specific training so they can provide the best care possible and support those with dementia to die with dignity.'

Andrew Chidgey

Director of External Affairs

Alzheimer's Society

Research reference: Office of National Statistics (2012), Deaths Registered in England and Wales in 2011, by Cause. The full statistics are available on the Office of National Statistics website

• take a look at our Life until the end: Dying well with dementia report