Government seeks international collaboration to tackle dementia

The government is seeking international collaboration to tackle the growing challenge of dementia as people lead increasingly longer lives.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt says there are currently 670,000 people suffering from various forms of dementia in theUKand this figure is set to double over the next 30 years.

Mr Hunt said: “Dementia is far from a uniquely British problem – it is a world-wide challenge. Similar problems and pressures are being played out across the world for families, patients and governments as they work hard to respond to the sometimes significant demands of this growing condition.”

Britainwill use its presidency of the G8 to host the first summit dedicated to seeking a new level of international collaboration.

Mr Hunt said: “We have to come together to tackle this health and care time bomb.”

As Mr Hunt points out, dementia is a growing problem which will affect millions of people over the next few decades.

Of course, it is impossible to predict our future health but we can take steps now to protect our interests if we suffer from dementia or lose our mental capacity for any other reason in the future.

Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) enable you to nominate someone such as a family member or trusted associate to make decisions on your behalf if you ever lose the ability to do so yourself.

The property and finance LPA allows you to appoint someone to look after your financial affairs, and the personal welfare LPA lets you grant an attorney authority over such matters as health care and the kind of treatment you receive.

LPAs should be drawn up with the help of a solicitor to ensure that they accurately express your wishes and protect your interests.

Please contact Nigel Gibson-Birch if you would like more information about Lasting Powers of Attorney.