Dementia diagnoses to rise sharply

CARERS of people with dementia are at crisis point and waiting lists for services have increased by 20% in the last year, a charity has warned.

Launching its pre-budget submission today, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland said demographics for dementia are set to soar — yet Ireland has no cohesive plan to deal with the economic costs and health needs of the population living with the condition.

In the next 15 years alone, the number of people living with dementia will increase from 44,000 today to 70,115 in 2026.