Pratchett demands political action on dementia

Yesterday (29th September 2008) at the Conservative Party Conference, he spoke of his experiences of Alzheimer's and urged the government to act now before it's too late.

Terry Pratchett, speaking at the conference said,

By the year 2025 there will be over one million sufferers here.  If the disease is not stopped or slowed then the country will have to deal with a very large population of helpless elderly, and politicians will have to deal with their carers.

Is there going to be a government of any stripe in England willing to put its money where its mouth is and fund changes? Or will dementia remain the most feared disease of the over 55's?

Someone, and it may be people here, will have to make some big decisions.

This speech follows a recent report by Alzheimer's Society, which found that 72% of people in the UK feel political parties have no clear plans for older people.  The research also found that dementia tops the list of conditions that people over 55 fear most in later life. 

Neil Hunt, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Society says,

Terry Pratchett's speech today highlights the challenges we face with an ever increasing ageing population.

Dementia needs to be a top priority for all political parties over the next few years, if the voices of people living with dementia are finally heard.  We urgently need to invest in care for people today and to find a cure for tomorrow.