How Many People In The UK Have Dementia?

Over 900,000 individuals are currently living with dementia in the United Kingdom. This number is expected to rise substantially as the population of the UK ages in the coming decades. Gaining accurate insights into dementia’s prevalence allows us to better serve this community through thoughtful research, care planning, support services, and health strategies.

Here at KYN, our dementia care team have extensive first-hand experience with how dementia can impact someone’s life and personality. Our specialists provide long-term, comprehensive support for all our residents.

How is the 900,000 number calculated?

The estimated 900,000 people over age 65 living with dementia in the UK is based on dementia prevalence research and modelling done by the London School of Economics in 2019.

Their analysis looked at health studies and disease patterns to predict how many people have dementia. This estimated number was further refined and confirmed using actual data on recent dementia-related deaths collected by the Office for National Statistics.

By combining the epidemiological predictions with real-world death data, researchers arrived at the commonly cited estimate that around 900,000 individuals over 65 in the UK are currently living with some form of dementia.

Who is most affected by dementia?

As already mentioned, dementia predominantly affects older adults over the age of 65, though it can also impact younger people as well. In the over 65 population, the risk of developing dementia rises exponentially with age - at 65 your risk may be low, but by 85 it is significantly higher.

This age association is why over 95% of dementia cases are diagnosed in those over 65. Prevalence rates do seem lower in the under 65 population. However, there is an urgent need for more research focused specifically on early-onset dementia in younger demographics.

Current prevalence estimates are based overwhelmingly on over-65 data. Younger people with dementia struggle to get diagnosed and access support, so raising awareness of dementia in younger age groups is extremely important.

Why is the Number of People Living with Dementia Increasing?

The rise in dementia prevalence is largely driven by increasing life expectancy and an ageing population. Age is the biggest risk factor for developing dementia - it is relatively rare before age 65, but the risk doubles every 5 years after that.

As people are living longer lifespans, more are reaching the ages where dementia becomes more common. This demographic trend of having an older population is contributing to higher dementia prevalence.

Other factors like increased awareness and screening may also play a role in identifying more cases. But the primary reason dementia diagnoses are rising is simply because more people are living into older age brackets where dementia risk increases significantly.

How Has COVID-19 Affected Prevalence?

The pandemic led to high mortality among those living with dementia, either directly due to COVID-19 or because lockdowns accelerated progression of their cognitive symptoms. For many, COVID-19 severely worsened outcomes and quality of life.

Why Does Prevalence Data Matter?

Understanding current and future prevalence is crucial for planning services and support. This data guides national and local dementia strategies, budgeting for care systems, and highlighting more research is needed. It also promotes improved diagnosis so people can access helpful information and resources.

What is the future impact?

Looking ahead, projections estimate that over 1 million people in the UK will be living with dementia by the year 2025 based on rising life expectancies. The number of people living with dementia is expected to surpass 1.5 million by 2040 if incidence rates remain unabated.

These concerning projections reveal the expanding societal impact dementia will have in the coming decades as larger segments of the population enter the at-risk age brackets. Rising prevalence will place increasing strain on healthcare systems and require expanded support services, informed policy changes, and greater funding for research.

Accurately tracking current and future prevalence rates is vital for planning a comprehensive response as these numbers continue rising.

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The already high prevalence of dementia will likely keep rising substantially with an ageing population. Tracking prevalence empowers us to better support those impacted through thoughtful research, policy improvements, and accessible diagnosis and care.

More study focused on early onset dementia would also be beneficial, helping to understand how and why dementia develops, and ensure that younger people living with dementia receive the care and support they need. As prevalence grows, our society must respond with compassionate understanding and practical solutions.

Here at KYN, our experienced dementia care team takes a personalised approach to all our residents’ care. Working with healthcare professionals, we create bespoke dementia care plans for all our residents, ensuring that everyone living under our care is looked after in a way that fulfils their needs and promotes a long, safe and full life.

If you’re interested in living in one of our luxury care homes in London, or a relative is living with dementia and needs long-term support, contact our team today. To request a KYN brochure, enquire today. Simply fill in our online form, call us on +44 (0) 20 3535 1923 or email enquiries@kyn.co.uk.