On Tuesday 9th July, local MP, Nick Thomas-Symonds joined 120 other Members of Parliament at an Alzheimer’s Society photography exhibition to promote understanding of what life with dementia is like.
At the photo exhibition, ‘Dementia Care: The Crisis Behind Closed Doors’, Parliamentarians met with people affected by dementia to hear about how dementia has affected them and their families. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia deaths are rising year on year and 225,000 will develop dementia this year: that is one every three minutes with Dementia costing the UK economy over £26 billion per year, this is the equivalent of more than £30,000 per person with dementia.
Alzheimer’s Society is calling for a Dementia Fund in the upcoming Spending Review to end the dementia penalty and ensure that those living with dementia and their families receive the care that they need.
Responding to the Alzheimer’s Society event, Mr. Thomas-Symonds MP said:
“I am proud to stand with people affected by dementia. One million people will have dementia by 2021 and it is vital that we are able to deliver high quality dementia care to everyone that needs it.”
Alzheimer’s Society is here for anyone affected by dementia. For information and support, call the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122 or visit alzheimers.org.uk.