As the latest estimates reveal that prevalence of dementia in Scotland is set to rise by more than 50% by 2044, Alzheimer Scotland says leaders must urgently review service plans and investment.

Currently impacting over 90,000 people in Scotland, Public Health Scotland (PHS) calculates the ‘substantial’ rise will equate to an increase of up to 53,800 people living with dementia by 2044.

PHS warns that, if this rise is not avoided, it will increase pressure on health, social care and specialist support services, posing ‘significant challenges to the system’.

Alzheimer Scotland says the PHS Burden of Disease findings make for a “sobering” read, underlining the distance between Scotland’s ambitions for people with dementia and the reality.

The charity’s Deputy Chief Executive Jim Pearson told healthandcare.scot with a system already in crisis, this report underlines the need for investment now:

“The figures published by Public Health Scotland on the rising prevalence of dementia make for sobering reading and should be a wake-up call for our political and healthcare leaders.

“Public Health Scotland also set out in the report that with timely investment in prevention, early intervention and integrated person-centred care we can ease pressure on the system, improve the quality of life for people with dementia, and support reliance in our health and social care system. 

“However, this is at odds with the reality today.

“Scotland’s health and social care system is currently in crisis and not able to make investments for the needs of people with dementia and carers today, let alone prepare for the increasing numbers of people with dementia tomorrow.”

While age remains the strongest risk for dementia – with the largest increases seen for both men and women aged 85 and over – rises are predicted across all age groups.

PHS says the role of modifiable risk factors from smoking and alcohol consumption to obesity and the wider social determinants of health, in particular poverty should not be ignored.

It adds that public health interventions offer a meaningful opportunity to reduce new cases of dementia over time.

Alzheimer Scotland says the Scottish government must review its 2024-26 dementia strategy and provide clear actions for how it will reach every person living with dementia moving forward.

This also comes as Scotland’s medicines review body rejected the resubmission of an early-stage Alzheimer’s drug from pharmaceutical company Eisai which said the government must place greater emphasis on new interventions for patients and families.

Nick Burgin, Eisai EMEA President and COO said:

“We believe there could have been a better outcome if there was willingness to embrace early interventions and prioritise early Alzheimer’s disease patients within the Scottish healthcare system.”

Meanwhile, Alzheimer Scotland said local budget decisions have increasingly placed essential community services at risk, and a shift is needed to uplift and protect dementia care.

Jim Pearson said:

“These cuts are decimating critical and valued supports such as care at home, respite and day care services – placing almost unbearable pressure on family carers and increasing the need for more expensive unscheduled crisis care.

“This postcode lottery must end. Dementia care must be regarded in the same way as other illnesses such as cancer, chest, heart and stroke – with clear pathways and standards that are consistently enforced across the country.

“Scotland’s dementia strategy must take an immediate and effective lead on this. There should be no doubt what you will be offered as you go through your time living with dementia.

“There needs to be a comprehensive review of the current dementia strategy and its main priorities to ensure we have a clear plan to tackle dementia at every stage, and for every person in Scotland.”

Read more: Fair funding to see Scotland lead dementia research; “Get ready now” for advances in dementia care; Harnessing a parasite to take drugs into the brain; National shift needed for dementia care; Edinburgh welcomes outdoor brain health centre; Action needed on women’s brain health; Music’s potential to help with dementia; Dementia care tech collab invites partners; Charting Scotland's future health demand

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