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5 February 2025

Dementia Named UK’s Leading Cause of Death

Dementia is now the leading cause of death in the UK, and St Michael’s is committed to providing compassionate care for individuals with dementia

Why hospice care is crucial for Dementia patients

Dementia has been named the UK’s leading cause of death for the second consecutive year, with over 70,000 deaths recorded in the past year alone. This startling statistic from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) underscores the growing public health challenge of dementia. With nearly 1 million people affected, the need for compassionate, specialised care is more urgent than ever.

Hospice care is often mistakenly seen as being primarily for cancer patients, but nearly 50% of our patients have other complex conditions, including neurological diseases like dementia. At St Michael’s Hospice, we are dedicated to offering holistic support that goes beyond end-of-life care. We believe that individuals with dementia, like anyone with a terminal illness, deserve the same level of compassion, dignity, and personalised attention, ensuring that their needs are met with the highest standard of care.

Hospice care for dementia focuses on managing symptoms, providing comfort, and ensuring quality of life for both patients and their families\carers. This approach addresses the complex needs that arise as dementia progresses, offering support that is tailored to each person’s unique journey. Our team works together to ensure the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the person living with dementia and their carer are met.

“Dementia care requires a compassionate and individualised approach, as every person with dementia has their own unique experience of the disease.”
“Our role is to ensure that both the individual and their family feel supported throughout this challenging journey, offering a space where people can receive expert care while maintaining their dignity.”

Sarah Farnsworth – Dementia Sister

As dementia continues to be the leading cause of death in the UK, it is essential that we shift the narrative around hospice care. It is not only for cancer patients; it is also for those living with dementia who require end-of-life care. The care provided at St Michael’s Hospice goes beyond simply offering medical interventions—it’s about offering comfort, emotional support, and quality of life during a difficult time.

The government must recognise the growing impact of dementia on the UK population and ensure that funding for dementia care is sustainable and sufficient. With dementia now the leading cause of death, the demand for specialised care, particularly in hospices, is increasing. It is crucial that government policies allocate adequate resources to support services like those provided by St Michael’s Hospice, ensuring that individuals with dementia and their families can access the care they need, now and in the future.

How St Michael’s can help

St Michael’s Hospice provides a range of services for individuals living in Herefordshire with dementia, including symptom management, personalised care, and emotional support for both the person affected and their loved ones. These services aim to alleviate the physical and emotional burdens of dementia, allowing families to navigate this difficult journey with compassion and support.

As dementia continues to impact more lives across the UK, it is vital that people with dementia and their families know that hospice care is available for them, too. At St Michael’s, we are proud to offer expert dementia care, ensuring that individuals living in Herefordshire with dementia can experience peace, comfort, and dignity, no matter where they are in their journey.

For more information on the dementia services we offer for Herefordshire residents, please visit our Dementia Support page.

Together, we can raise awareness, challenge misconceptions, and ensure that compassionate care is available to all who need it.

Sign up now to hear about how we care for families across Herefordshire and beyond and how you can help