UK Sleepwalking into a Dementia Crisis

10/07/2018
Author: Emma Wood

A report produced by Solicitors for the Elderly is warning that the UK is heading towards a dementia crisis because people aren’t making arrangements in case they’re diagnosed with a degenerative mental illness.

The report, published in conjunction with the Centre for Future Studies (CFS), claims that 12.8 million people over the age of 65 have a high possibility of future incapacity, yet haven’t planned ahead by setting up a lasting power of attorney.

Records show that there are only 928,000 health and welfare lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) currently registered in England and Wales. This is expected to increase to 2.2 million by 2025, but by then around 13.2 million people will be at risk of dementia.

The news follows a sharp increase in the number of people being diagnosed, or at risk of being diagnosed, with the condition.

Although three quarters of the population fear dementia or the loss of capacity to make decisions, 97% – 49 million people – will be at risk with no relevant legal plans in place for their future care.

Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) is leading a coalition of prominent charities, including the Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK and Dying Matters, on warning of the impending crisis, but believe people are reluctant to discuss mental incapacity because of the stigma attached to conditions such as dementia.

As many as 65% of people believe that they if they lack mental capacity, their next of kin can specify medical and care decisions on their behalf. But without a registered health and welfare LPA in place, these decisions are out of a loved ones’ hands.