Cost of dementia to UK could almost double to £91bn by 2040, study finds

Despite the benefits of early diagnosis, just 1.4% of the disease’s healthcare costs go on that, according to the report. Photograph: Ian Allenden/Alamy

Dementia could cost the UK almost £91bn a year by 2040, as the number of people affected rises inexorably, a study has found.

The “colossal” costs of the disease are likely to more than double from an already “staggering” £42.5bn today to £90.6bn, according to research undertaken for the Alzheimer’s Society.