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Dementia Levels 'Same As 20 Years Ago'

Concerns about a dementia epidemic are unfounded as rates appear to be stabilising in the UK and parts of Europe, research has found.

A study by the Institute of Public Health at Cambridge University found the percentage of British people aged over 65 with dementia in 2011 was one-fifth lower than what it was expected to be.

In 1991, it was predicted that 8% of pensioners would have dementia in 2011. In fact, around 6% of over-65s had the disease.

Scientists have suggested factors affecting the figures include lifestyle improvements, better healthcare and living conditions.

The report, in medical journal The Lancet, examined dementia studies carried out in the same way, but decades apart.

Carol Brayne, from the University of Cambridge, said: "The study, which was one of five, found that there was a reduction in the prevalence of people suffering from dementia in the UK, if you keep age steady.

"That means the numbers estimated to have dementia in this country would be the same as 20 years ago, rather than there being an increase."

It had been estimated there are around 850,000 people affected by dementia in the UK - but the report suggests that figure could be much lower.

The scientists found that much of the previous evidence suggesting a rise in dementia cases was likely to be inaccurate because some research is out of date as it was started in the 1980s.

Despite the findings, critics have warned that because there is no cure dementia is the most critical health and social care challenge facing the country.

Hilary Evans, chief executive of Alzheimer's Research UK, said: "What we know is that we have an ageing population and age is the biggest risk factor when it comes to dementia.

"So while there may be elements around prevention, it's not necessarily going to reduce the overall numbers suffering from dementia."

At a dance class for the over-65s in central London, a number of participants said they attended not just for fitness and to meet new people, but to keep their minds active, in the hope of preventing dementia.

Pauline Pinwell told Sky News: "My mother had the disease and you lose the person that you know. It's no longer your mother.

"She didn't recognise me in the end and it was very upsetting.

"You have to keep your mind and your body active as long as you can."