Dr Sonya Miller, medical director at TauRx Therapeutics Management, said: “For Andy Burnham, social care is a personal issue. His dad is just one of the estimated 982,000 people in the UK living with a form of dementia. That’s enough people to fill Wembley Stadium nearly 11 times over.
“Therefore, the appointment of a dementia tsar can only help bring to the forefront the awareness of this devastating disease. Not only does it affect the person who receives the diagnosis, but also their family, friends and the wider social and healthcare systems. This is a public-wide issue with every one of us potentially being touched in some way by this disease.
“The major cost burden is being carried by patients and families. Hopefully, in time, we shall be able to reduce that burden and provide the financial and social support needed.
“Alongside the development of potential treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, today’s announcements can only help reinforce the idea that hope for people living with dementia is not being misplaced. Alzheimer’s needs to – and will – be transformed from a devastating disease into a manageable condition.”
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