IT IS a devastating condition affecting thousands of people. In West Yorkshire alone there are currently 25,590 living with dementia and 67,630 in Yorkshire and the Humber, according to new figures released by the Alzheimer’s Society.

Yet while more people are aware of this devastating condition, the report found that many of its victims are not living well – prompting the Alzheimer’s Society to urge the Government to end the artificial divide between health and social care which disadvantages people with dementia and to commit to a follow-up to the Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia which is due to end next May.

Dementia UK: The Second Edition, produced for the charity by the London School of Economics and King’s College London provides the most comprehensive review of dementia in the UK to date. It reveals that there are now 67,630 people living with dementia in Yorkshire and the Humber and that there will be 850,000 people living with the condition in the UK by 2015, costing the UK £26 billion a year.

Despite these huge costs – two-thirds of which are shouldered by people with dementia, their carers and families – tens of thousands of people with dementia are still living without the right support to do everyday tasks like getting dressed, eating and going to the toilet.

Elizabeth Milwain, a psychologist with a special interest in dementia who runs four support groups in St Peter’s Church; the Kirkgate Centre, Shipley; Idle Baptist Church and Keighley Shared Church, says there needs to be greater clarity as it is often confusing working out at what point families become eligible for help with care costs.

“The rules are so complicated and if they have savings of a certain amount they have to pay something towards it,” says Dr Milwain. The profile of the condition has increased which will hopefully bring about further improvements in research and support. “I think the taboo issue has been largely tackled. We are seeing it is a big issue and we do need to start thinking about it.,” says Dr Milwain.

Clare Mason, dementia support manager with Bradford’s Alzheimer’s Society, says: “It is a devastating diagnosis. Even when you are in complete and utter shock after receiving the diagnosis, you will have to start thinking about needing to claim for benefit or needing to find a day centre, although it may not be appropriate at that time.

“More definitely needs to be done because this is not going to go away. It is a continuous piece of work to try and help people to live better. The report will help and I think there are 14 points on it that the Alzheimer’s Society feel need actioning, so if we can bring those to the attention of the people who can make those changes it has to be a good thing.”

The Alzheimer’s Society has also published Dementia 2014: An Opportunity for Change which provides a snapshot of how well people with dementia are living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It draws together evidence from a survey of over 1,000 people with dementia and their carers and more than 2,000 members of the public.

Key findings from the report include: a little over half of people with dementia (58 per cent) are reported to be living well; nearly two-thirds (61 per cent) have felt anxious or depressed recently, and seven out of 10 people are living with another medical condition or disability.