British Prime Minister David Cameron announced that pensioners will now be given a memory test every time they visit a doctor or nurse, as part of a plan to improve the diagnosis of dementia. About one million people, including bank and shop workers will be offered basic training under the Dementia Friends scheme, so that they may be able to identify the condition and assist those who need extra help.
Cameron announced on November 7, 2012, that the awareness of dementia was shockingly low and that more than a million people would soon be suffering with the condition in the country. At present England has 670,000 people with dementia, but it is predicted that this number will double in the next 30 years.
A new strategy to raise awareness of dementia will begin on November 8, 2012. Also there will be further research put into the disease by the Prime Minister and Health secretary. Health care professionals will be needed during the checkup, as they will be questioning all patients aged between 65-74 about their memory.
Cameron said that they cannot underestimate the challenge they are facing in dealing with dementia in the country. The PM added that there are already about 700,000 sufferers in England alone, but less than half are diagnosed at present.
