Time to take on dementia

Dementia has been a Cinderella disease for far too long, neglected and underfunded.

But at last there appears to be some joined up thinking to tackle what has become an epidemic.

Last week David Cameron met with the leaders of the G8 nations to try and reach some sort of global strategy to deal with this cruel disease.

The figures are shocking.

Someone is diagnosed with dementia every four seconds and if no action is taken the figure of 44 million sufferers right now will rise to a massive 135 million worldwide by 2050.

We need early diagnosis, proper drugs and an increase in the budget for research.

Perhaps a cure will never be found, or might take decades, but slowing down the pace of the disease would give sufferers more time with their loved ones before they slip away into darkness.

I have watched Dundee United legend Frank Kopel gradually succumb to dementia and it has been heartbreaking for his devoted wife Amanda and all of his family and friends.

Day by day, and bit by bit they are losing him. No wonder dementia is known as a living death.

Amanda is fighting for her husband, and other sufferers under the age of 65, who have to pay for care. Those over 65 receive this free, which is unfair for the victims and those looking after them usually husbands, wives, daughters and sons.

While the search goes on for a cure, we need to look after those who are suffering right now.

They need the best possible care and their devoted families also need a break.

For too long dementia sufferers have been ignored and overlooked.

That simply cannot be allowed to happen pressure must be maintained on our government to lead the way in proper research and generous funding.

The G8 summit is a good start but we need to follow up the promises with cold hard cash and real commitment, otherwise it’s all just hot air.