NHS should screen over-75s for Dementia as many miss out on treatment that slows disease

Dementia causes distressing memory lapses and confusion and may lead to mood swings in later stages.

The NHS should routinely screen all over-75s for signs of dementia says The Alzheimer's Society as fewer than half of the estimated 750,000 dementia sufferers receive a diagnosis.  This means hundreds of thousands are missing out on treatment, care and support, including new medications that can slow the development of the condition.

However, it is believed that screening may increase anxiety, whilst placing an additional cost burden on NHS resources.

According to research by The Alzheimer's Society there are 750,000 people with dementia in the UK and this will rise to more than 1 million by 2021.