Dealing with dementia: Concerns over how to cope with the UK's biggest killer

  • Video report by ITV News Anglia's Malcolm Robertson

Dementia is now the biggest cause of death in the UK - and with an increasingly elderly population, it's a statistic that is unlikely to change.

Out of the estimated 850,000 people who were living with dementia in the UK, 773,502 were aged 65 and over.

It is believed that by 2025 more than a million people will have the condition.

There are fears for the funding of specialist nurses who deal with dementia - which raises further question marks about how to provide and pay for social care in the future.

One of the biggest dementia support groups in the East of England is at Wymondham in Norfolk.

Every Friday, it opens up a cafe in a local church where those with the condition and their carers can meet and take part in various activities.

Here there is huge concern that the South Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group has withdrawn funding for Admiral nurses, who provide support for local families touched by dementia.

The decision has angered Dianne Fernee, the group's organiser.

It is estimated a million people will be living with dementia by 2025. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Zena Aldridge, a regional Admiral nurse, says greater funding is desperately needed to protect a vital service.

He wants health professionals to make sure carers and volunteers get the help.

It would allow people with dementia to be able live as well as they can at home, rather than having to go into residential care.

The likelihood of developing dementia increases with age. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Although the majority of people with dementia are over 65, the condition is not a normal part of getting older.

The likelihood of developing dementia rises with age, but it's not a given that an older person will develop it.

There is still optimism about future treatments for dementia. Credit: ITV News Anglia

Despite the concerns about how dementia care will continue to be funded, there is still optimism about future treatments.

Helplines for dealing with dementia: