Dementia has overtaken cancer as the disease Britons fear most, with one in three adults naming it their greatest health concern, new research finds.
The findings come from the New Ageing Index, described as the first project to track how the UK thinks and feels about ageing and care over an extended period.
Fear of dementia among family carers rose from 27 per cent to 31 per cent over the 12-month study, while fear of cancer fell from 30 per cent to 21 per cent.
Researchers suggest decades of progress in cancer treatment and survival are shifting perceptions, while dementia remains poorly understood and devastating for families.
The research, commissioned by home care provider Home Instead and conducted by Savanta, also finds mounting pressure on unpaid family carers.
More than two in five (43 per cent) of those supporting a relative with dementia say they have left employment to do so, up from 37 per cent just 10 months earlier.
The proportion of family carers saying they need more support has risen from 68 per cent to 77 per cent since the study began.
Martin Jones, chief executive of Home Instead UK and International, said: “Over the past year, we’ve seen a clear shift in how Britain views ageing and care. Dementia has become our greatest fear, and the strain on families caring for loved ones is growing.
“If we can’t cure dementia, we must at least care better, for those living with the disease and for the families supporting them.
“The findings show the public is ready for change. It’s time for the government, business and policymakers to listen and act.”
Public frustration with state social care provision appears to be deepening.
Half of UK adults (51 per cent) now believe the sector should be taken out of government control, and more families are considering private care options, up from 46 per cent to 50 per cent.
Demand among family carers for government investment in dementia research rose from 84 per cent to 92 per cent across the four waves of research.
Dr Michelle Hamill, a clinical psychologist, said: “It’s natural to feel frightened when thinking about dementia.
“The condition is often surrounded by misinformation, dehumanising language, and inadequate support systems, all of which reinforce the belief that nothing can be done to help.
“While dementia does affect a person’s abilities and awareness over time, it does not erase identity or diminish a lifetime of experiences.
“Many people continue to find purpose, meaning, and joy, especially when given the right care and understanding.”
