Govt dementia funds 'must be spent more wisely'

Smarter use of government funds would contain the ever-escalating cost of providing adequate dementia services, it has been claimed.

Britain's ageing population is generating a "cost time-bomb" for dementia funding, according to the Alzheimer's Society.

Charity Counsel and Care recently announced that through more intelligent spending strategies up to £3 billion could be saved between 2011 and 2015.

The Alzheimer's Society backs these comments, adding that providing better support in the early stages of dementia can save vast amounts of cash later on.

"With the number of people with dementia set to reach a million in 15 years dementia has been described as a 'timebomb', but with proper planning and better use of resources the cost can be contained," said Ruth Sutherland, the charity's acting chief executive.

According to the Alzheimer's Research Trust, there are currently around 820,000 people in the UK living with dementia.

Read more about Barchester's dementia care homes.