Number of people living with dementia in region expected to soar by 2030

In Staffordshire it is expected to increase by 71 per cent, while there are expected to be increases of 63 per cent in Walsall, 58 per cent in Sandwell, 47 per cent in Wolverhampton and 45 per cent in Dudley.

Marking Dementia Action Week, the Alzheimer's Society warns that a lack of drugs to cure or slow down the condition means families rely on social care that is often inadequate.

NHS Digital figures show that 6,931 older people in Staffordshire have a dementia diagnosis. But research by the Alzheimer's Society predicts that the number will swell to 19,470 in 2030.

In Dudley, the figures show that 2,504 older people have a diagnosis – but this is expected to increase to 6,420 in 2030. In Wolverhampton, the number of older people with a dementia diagnosis is expected to increase from 1,937 to 4,400 in 2030.

While in Sandwell, the figures show that 1,877 older people have a dementia diagnosis – with the charity predicting this will increase to 5,050 in 2030. And in Walsall, the number of older people with a diagnosis is expected to increase from 1,834 to 5,140 in 2030.

Kate Lee, chief executive officer at the Alzheimer's Society, said: “Lack of time and dementia-specific training among the often overworked and underpaid care workforce means people with dementia aren’t getting the support they need to live.

'Underfunding'

"From the man with dementia forced to choose between a hot meal and a wash during a home care visit, to the woman rushed to hospital dehydrated because carers weren’t trained in dementia – poor care is all too common.

“Decades of chronic underfunding and neglect have led to a care system that’s difficult to access, costly, inadequate, and deeply unfair.

“This cannot be the kind of society that we expect today and that we want to grow old in."

Across England, the health and social care cost for those with dementia is expected to reach £50.5 billion when the unpaid support from family and friends is factored in. The costs refer to the entire sum required to support older people living with dementia, rather than the extra cost of dementia care alone.

The Government came under fire after it failed to announce clear plans for a social care reform during the Queen's Speech earlier this month, despite the Prime Minister pledging to overhaul social care when he was elected back in 2019.

The Department for Health and Social Care said the reform and funding arrangements are complex and options to deliver the commitment are under consideration.

A spokesman said: "We are committed to significantly increasing research funding to improve detection and care for people living with all kinds of dementia, and as part of our 2020 Challenge on Dementia, the Government has already spent £344 million on dementia research in the past five years.

“We have pledged to improve adult social care to give everyone who needs care the dignity and security they deserve and are committed to bringing forward a long-term plan to reform the social care system later this year.”