Isle of Man dementia rates rise over five years

The number of people suffering from dementia has increased over the past five years, according to the Isle of Man's health department.

The government statistics, which were provided in the March sitting of Tynwald, show the number has risen from 104 in 2009 to 214 this year.

There are currently more than 1,000 residents with dementia.

Social Care Minister Howard Quayle said the increase was due, in part, to the island's ageing population.

He added: "It is also down to increasing public awareness and improved health professional knowledge and understanding of dementia."

Dementia is used to describe a loss of cognitive ability associated by most people with memory impairment.

The UK National Dementia Strategy 2009 predicted that the number of people with Dementia in the UK would double in the next 30 years.