Just one in three Britons realise they can reduce their risk of developing dementia despite most worrying about getting it, a poll reveals.
Six in ten adults (59 per cent) say they stress about a diagnosis, with four in ten (43 per cent) regularly looking for symptoms.
It means one in five (20 per cent) even get alarmed when they simply forget something, such as their keys or a person’s name.
Concern about the disease is likely to have increased in recent years as more than half (56 per cent) say the Covid-19 pandemic made them more health-aware.
Meanwhile, 50 per cent of us now know someone who has dementia or is looking after someone who does, the survey of 2,000 UK adults by OnePoll suggests.
The Daily Mail and Alzheimer’s Society have partnered in a drive to beat dementia, which claims 76,000 lives each year and is the UK’s biggest killer.
The Defeating Dementia campaign aims to raise awareness of the disease, in an effort to increase early diagnosis, boost research and improve care.
The survey highlights the need for such a campaign, as only one in nine respondents (11 per cent) correctly identified dementia as the UK’s leading cause of death, with four in ten (41 per cent) wrongly thinking it was cancer.
Michelle Dyson, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said the findings ‘underscore the need for greater public education about dementia and the practical steps people can take to reduce their risk’
Dementia cases are projected to exceed one million by 2030, with one in three people born today expected to develop it in their lifetime.
Research shows around half (45 per cent) of all dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 risk factors – but only a third of people (32 per cent) believe this is possible.
While many recognise risk factors such as having a traumatic brain injury (64 per cent), excessive alcohol consumption (50 per cent), social isolation (50 per cent), smoking (45 per cent), physical inactivity (45 per cent) and depression (42 per cent), fewer could identify the others.
These include poor quality of education in early life (13 per cent), uncorrected vision loss (20 per cent), hearing loss (25 per cent), air pollution (25 per cent), high cholesterol (29 per cent), diabetes (31 per cent), obesity (31 per cent) and high blood pressure (37 per cent).
Dementia misconceptions also persist, with respondents wrongly linking dementia to lack of sleep (45 per cent), chemical exposure (41 per cent), vitamin deficiencies (37 per cent), dehydration (28 per cent), aluminium (22 per cent) and poor dental hygiene (20 per cent).
Michelle Dyson, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said the findings ‘underscore the need for greater public education about dementia and the practical steps people can take to reduce their risk’.
She added: ‘Research suggests that nearly half of dementia cases could be delayed or prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors – a reminder that everyday choices genuinely matter.
‘Regular exercise, avoiding smoking, tackling hearing loss and managing long term conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes all play a meaningful role.
The Daily Mail and Alzheimer’s Society have partnered in a drive to beat dementia, which claims 76,000 lives each year and is the UK’s biggest killer
‘Taking a holistic approach to overall health remains one of the most effective ways we currently know to support brain health as we age.’
Half of those polled (50 per cent) say they would want to know in advance if they were going to develop dementia in later life.
This is mainly to spend more time with their loved ones (47 per cent), plan care and finances (both 45 per cent), improve their health (40 per cent), document memories (39 per cent) and travel more (38 per cent).
The survey also highlights a concerning gap in financial planning.
Most respondents estimate dementia care costs at around £20,000 per year (11 per cent), while 39 per cent admit they do not know.
In reality, care costs for severe cases of dementia can average at £81,000 per year – £60,000 more than most estimates – with even mild cases averaging £29,000.
Nearly half of those surveyed (49 per cent) admitted they have no financial plan in place to meet future care expenses.
A quarter (25 per cent) said they would depend on income, savings, and pensions to cover costs while one in ten (11 per cent) would have to sell their home.
Everyone experiences dementia differently. Use this checklist to help you make a note of your symptoms before you talk to your GP.
Only 7 per cent said they are relying on an insurance payout and just 10 per cent have a critical illness insurance policy.
Peter Hamilton, head of market engagement at Zurich UK, which commissioned the polling, said: ‘Too many people still believe dementia is an inevitable part of aging, which it isn’t.
‘By improving understanding and encouraging earlier action both in terms of looking after health and finances, people can feel more in control of their future.’
