A stark new poll has laid bare a profound crisis of confidence in the nation's ability to cope with dementia, with the public expressing deep fears about being neglected in failing hospitals or care homes.
A Nation Living in Fear
The exclusive survey, conducted by Ipsos for the Daily Mail, reveals that more than half of UK adults (54%) have personal experience with dementia, knowing or having known someone with the condition. Despite this widespread impact, the findings deliver a damning indictment of public trust in health and social care institutions.
Only one in four people (27%) are confident they would receive a good standard of care in a hospital or care home if they developed dementia. This lack of faith is compounded by the reality that dementia patients are heavily reliant on such support, occupying one in four acute hospital beds in England, where their stays are typically twice as long as other patients.
The Campaign Driving Awareness
The polling follows the launch of the Daily Mail's Defeating Dementia campaign in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society. The initiative, which exposed a postcode lottery in diagnosis rates, has already triggered an unprecedented public response.
The charity's online symptom checker saw a staggering 6,162% increase in completions, while its helpline faced a surge in calls, with many praising the campaign for raising vital awareness. Michelle Dyson, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, said the partnership helped 'shine a light on the cruel injustices of dementia' and described the public reaction as 'hugely encouraging'.
Yet, the campaign highlights a system under severe strain. Almost half of acute hospitals (46%) and a third of social care providers (30%) are rated 'inadequate' or 'requires improvement' by the Care Quality Commission. A recent CQC report warned that staff often do not understand the specific needs of people with dementia and that care environments can harm wellbeing.
Barriers to Care and a Lack of Hope
The survey uncovers a troubling landscape of fear, financial burden, and stigma. One in three people (33%) now fear getting dementia more than cancer, a disease with more treatment options and research funding. This dread is so severe that 41% would consider an assisted death before the disease's onset if they knew they were going to get it.
Professor Fiona Carragher, chief policy and research officer at Alzheimer's Society, stated: 'We sadly hear about the harsh realities of dementia every single day. Our research shows one in five people affected have received no health, social care, or financial support.' She emphasised that stigma and fear of diagnosis often prevent people from seeking help.
Financial rules force those who saved throughout their working lives to deplete their savings and sell their homes to fund care, with average care home fees reaching almost £1,400 per week. Furthermore, there are currently no drugs available on the NHS to slow, cure, or prevent dementia.
This is despite recent breakthroughs; a study last week showed an Alzheimer's drug rejected for NHS use in England, Lecanemab, could slow progression by eight years. The rationing decision is likely to anger the 69% of poll respondents who believe the latest drugs should be available on the NHS regardless of cost.
Four in ten people (39%) believe the NHS prioritises other illnesses over dementia, with only 10% disagreeing. A widespread lack of awareness persists, with one in four (24%) wrongly believing there is nothing they can do to reduce their risk.
Professor Carragher concluded: 'Dementia has been in the shadows for far too long. Early diagnosis and proper care can help people take control and stay out of hospital longer. We must break down these barriers so people get the help they desperately need and deserve.'
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said the government is committed to improving diagnosis rates, delivering new national care standards, and ensuring access to licensed treatments.
