Dementia care plea as deaths hit record high

THE number of people dying from dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Scotland has reached its highest level since 2000.

- BY RICHARD ELIAS

It is now the cause of about one-in-ten of all deaths in the country.

Last night, the news prompted the head of one charity to describe the situation as “a stark reminder that much more must be done to support those affected”.

Opposition critics also slammed the Scottish Government for the huge increase in cases, blaming, in particular, a reduction in structured care for sufferers.

Official data from National Records of Scotland (NRS) showed that 6,612 deaths were caused by Alzheimer's and dementia in 2024.

That is a two per cent rise from the previous year.

The statistics almost doubled in the last two decades, with 122 deaths per 100,000 people in Scotland in 2024. Falkirk and Clackmannanshire recorded the highest mortality rates whilst the Scottish Borders had the lowest.

Age Scotland chief executive Katherine Crawford said it was vital the Scottish Government stepped up to the plate. She said: “Today's figures are a clear sign that greater investment and focus are needed at all levels.”

Ms Crawford added that funding for grassroots projects had to increase.