Support plea after dramatic five-year rise in dementia cases

Dementia diagnoses have risen by up to 80 per cent in the Black Country and Staffordshire in five years.

Dementia diagnosis rose in the Black Country and Staffordshire in five years

The number of people on the dementia register has risen in the West Midlands over the period, an analysis of NHS data shows.

The increase is thought to be a combination of an ageing population and increased awareness of the condition.

While all areas show a rising trend there are also wide variations, with a 79 per cent increase in people seeking help in Dudley compared to a jump of less than 20 per cent in some other areas.

Charities said dementia care provision must improve for all areas, calling it a “ridiculous lottery” and “very hit or miss”.

Dr Karen Harrison Dening, of Dementia UK said: “We are going to have a huge increase in population of older people, and one of the main risk factors of dementia is age.

Tony Billingham has formed a new support group at Lapal House Care Home in Halesowen

There is also going to be a reduction in the number of younger people who will be able to care for them.

“But we still have a very, very poor response. We need to sharpen up considerably. We are starting to affect a diagnosis earlier but the question is, then what?”

Tony Billingham, who has created a new support in the Black Country, said: “I’ve now got 20 people coming to the support group since it was set up in November. There’s no support for families – we are getting a cry for help from these relatives. Unless we give them support there will be two people in care.”

Don’t ignore the signs – adapt and get on with living life

“You need to get it tested out and change your life.”

That is the advice of a grandfather-of-two who has been living with dementia for almost three years.

Roger Postance said being open about his condition has helped him with day-to-day life, but he knows people are frightened to be diagnosed.

The 65-year-old had to give up his career as a truck driver when he was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2017.

“I was a truck driver and I’d done that most of my life,” he said.

Roger Postance was a lorry driver but realised something was wrong when he became confused and became lost on a delivery

“I used to do a regular run from Cannock to Manchester every day and one day they sent me to a different place and I just got totally lost for no reason at all.

“In the end I got some help and I got home.

“I didn’t really think much about it at that stage.

“I was driving up the M6 and I just stopped, like the world stopped, and I didn’t know where I was.

“All of a sudden I came back out of it and I was fine. That happened two or three times then I thought I’ve got to go and sort this out.

“I didn’t want to worry my wife.”

After the shock of his diagnosis Roger said he felt increasingly lonely and isolated, so he and his wife Julie moved into Bradmore’s Inglewood Court just over a year ago, after moving out of their home.

Roger added: “Eventually I was making more and more mistakes at work, then I had some tests and I was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2017.

“The doctor knew straight away. He said you won’t work again, not what you’re doing now.

“A couple of days later I told my wife to send my licence back to the DVLA.

“It’s a shock really because you are so busy every day and all of a sudden you don’t know what’s happened.

“We moved out of our house in Church Road as my wife was working full time and I wasn’t seeing anybody or talking to anybody as they were at work.

“It was very very lonely so my wife found this place, and we’ve been here just over a year. There’s always somebody to talk to – we have coffee mornings, bingo, it’s a nice place to live.”

Roger moved home with his wife to gain more support living life with dementia

Last year Roger starred in Channel 4’s The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes. The four-part series which follows the UK’s first restaurant staffed by people living with dementia saw him serve up dishes to celebrities.

Roger and fellow dementia sufferers were trained before being thrust into work. Despite enjoying his time, he said the experience made him realise returning to work would be difficult.

Now Roger says he forgets appointments unless he is reminded close to the date and always asks for a reminder.

“I was supposed to be at the dentist today and they rang and cancelled as the dentist’s equipment broke – which was good because I had forgotten,” he said.

“I always say please text me a day before because of my Alzheimers. One thing I’ve always done, is I tell people people I’ve got it and I think if you do that people are more accepting.

“Some people are frightened to admit it, usually the older people, but I think that’s the worst thing you can do. You need to get it tested out and change your life.”

How can I find help and advice?

Your GP is the first stop for anyone concerned about themselves or a loved one. They can organise tests and advise on support.
The Alzheimer’s Society website has information on all diseases that cause dementia and how to find support near you.
You can call the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 11 22 for information.
Alzheimer’s Research UK carries out research and offers advice on its helpline 0300 111 5 111
Age UK has advice on topics, including benefits and local activities. Call 0800 055 6112.
The Carers Trust provides information and advice on its website for carers, including how to get support for yourself and your loved-one.
Talking Point is the Alzheimer’s Society’s forum. It shares advice and offers support.
Dementia UK is a national charity that aims to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and offers advice and support

How quicker diagnoses is exposing true scale of dementia

It’s a diagnosis that is devastating and life-changing at any age.

Now a greater awareness and understanding of the symptoms of dementia means they are being recognised quicker than ever before.

Diagnosis rates are rising and the true scale of the dementia in the UK is becoming clearer.

Charities supporting patients say this is vital to ensure they can start getting the support they need and plans for future care can be made.

Around the UK there are currently around 850,000 people with dementia in the UK but this is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.

The Alzheimer’s Society says that currently two thirds of the cost of dementia is paid by individuals and their families. In the UK this is currently estimated to be in the region £34.7billion but is expected to rise sharply to £94.1billion by 2040.

Diane Vukmirovic, chairwoman of Age UK Wolverhampton, said: “Most people are cared for at home and then that puts pressure on other family members who are probably working and may have their own health problems. People are now getting older and living longer. Some people say anybody can be a carer but no they can’t – I think carers need to be trained to the level of nurses and it should be recognised in the pay they receive.”

Neill Bucktin, director of commissioning at Dudley CCG: said: “Improving the diagnosis rate of people with dementia has been a national priority for some years now.

“Following diagnosis patients are referred to a dementia advisor. They aim to support people living with dementia and their carers, families and friends who may provide the person with care and support and provide expert information and advice about how to live well with dementia.

“They can connect people diagnosed with dementia and their carers to a range of services suited to individual needs and requirements.”