England has one of the highest dementia diagnosis rates in the world, according to figures released by the NHS. The number of people being diagnosed with dementia reached a record 487,432 in June.

High Diagnosis Rates

The diagnosis rate of 65% is the highest since the start of the pandemic, but still below the NHS target of diagnosing 66.7% of the total number of people believed to be living with a form of the disease. This compares with other high-income countries across the world which typically are in the 20-50% range.

Importance of Early Diagnosis

Dr Jeremy Isaacs, national clinical director for dementia at NHS England, emphasises that getting a diagnosis of dementia is the first step in supporting people. He highlights that the NHS offers a wide range of services to help those diagnosed with dementia.

Common early symptoms include forgetting bits of information, repeating oneself, struggling to follow conversations, and being confused about time and place. Often, these symptoms are more noticeable to family and friends than to the individual.

Dr Isaacs advises, “If you have noticed that someone has symptoms, please encourage them to visit their GP for an assessment – the sooner someone is seen the quicker the NHS can help.”

Impact on Families

Dementia not only affects the sufferers but also has a devastating impact on their families. Beyond the emotional trauma, family members can face legal and practical difficulties such as accessing the sufferer’s money, paying bills, making financial decisions, and determining the type of care the sufferer should receive.

Protecting Against Difficulties with LPAs

Thousands of people protect themselves against such difficulties by drawing up Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA). An LPA is a legal document that you can register when you are fit and healthy, authorising someone you choose to make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer able to do so yourself in the future.

• Property and Finance LPA: Allows you to appoint someone to manage your financial affairs.
• Personal Welfare LPA: Grants an attorney authority over health care and treatment decisions.

Setting up an LPA with the help of an expert solicitor is straightforward. Once registered, an LPA provides peace of mind, ensuring that if anything impairs your decision-making ability, your interests will be looked after by someone you trust.