Dementia Support Line
Number of people who die from dementia set to almost quadruple in coming years, finds new study
The number of people who die from dementia is set to almost quadruple in coming years, a new study has found.
Increasing deaths from the condition will contribute to a rocketing number of people who will need end-of-life care, researchers added.
The study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, saw experts analyse mortality statistics for England and Wales from 2006 to 2014.
By 2040, it is estimated 219,409 people in England and Wales will die from dementia - a significant rise from 59,199 in 2014.
Experts called for urgent action to address the growing need for end-of-life care services.
Rob Burley, Director of Policy at Alzheimer’s Society, said:
'Dementia is set to be the 21st century’s biggest killer. It is the only leading cause of death that we can’t cure, prevent or slow down.
'Currently there is scant palliative care for people with dementia, just 8% of people with dementia die at home, and less than 1% die in hospices.
'Everyone has the right to a dignified death in a place of their choosing, yet we continue to see the sustained failure by the system to prepare and plan for end of life care for people with dementia.
'This predicted fourfold increase in dementia deaths is a wake-up call to provide more dementia-appropriate palliative care services in the community.'
