Alzheimer's Society comment on Department of Health survey into attitudes towards growing older

Published 13 October 2009

A Department of Health survey has found that 86% of people are worried about getting old.

It also found that 54% worry about losing their mind and memory, 54% worry about illness or infirmary and 39% worry about being lonely. The survey has been commissioned a month before the end of the consultation on the government Green Paper on the future of care services.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'It comes as no surprise that more than half of people surveyed by the Department of Health are worried about cognitive impairment. It adds weight to Alzheimer's Society's findings that dementia is people's biggest fear in later life.

'More than two thirds of people in care homes have dementia. They could face enormous bills for poor quality care. Everyone must join the call for a system that is robust enough to tackle the rising dementia challenge and give people a better quality of life.'

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society