Dementia crisis looms, study says

The Government needs to act now to prevent a crisis of care for dementia sufferers, says Alzheimers New Zealand, which yesterday revealed the results of a study showing that the country faces a dementia epidemic.

The report, Economic Impact of Dementia in New Zealand (2008), estimates that this year there were 40,746 New Zealanders with dementia. Of these, 12,333 were newly diagnosed in 2008.

Past chairwoman Joy Simpson said New Zealand was potentially facing a dementia epidemic.

"By 2026, the number with dementia is projected to increase to 74,821. By 2050, there will be 146,699 people with dementia."