THE number of people who have died with dementia has more than doubled in the past 13 years, with Cumbria with a higher than average mortality rate.

Official figures show there were 73,189 deaths with a recorded mention of dementia in England in 2014, up from 32,600 in 2001.

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It means 15.8 per cent of deaths now involve dementia, which equates to roughly one in six.

Cumbria had a higher than average mortality rate of dementia deaths of people aged 20 and above at 190.1 per 100,000 population.

This relates to the period between 2012 and 2014, with the English average being 183.4 per 100,000 population.

Martina Kane, senior policy officer at the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Dementia is still being overlooked as a terminal illness.

"More advanced care planning is needed, a greater understanding of people's wishes towards the end of life, and a push to provide more services in the community, allowing people remain where they want to be, at home, when possible."

The numbers show a great need for communities to draw up plans to spot the signs of diseases of the brain, to offer care and educate more people about the conditions.

Campaign launch


Barrow Dementia logo. Barrow Dementia Action Alliance launches at The Forum in Duke Street on Friday , with the aim of increasing awareness and becoming a dementia friendly community.

Fiona Cloherty, from Phoenix Business Centre, who is one of the driving forces behind the local campaign, said: "If anybody has any questions around dementia and support then they can be answered at the launch."

According to the study by the National Dementia Intelligence Network and National End of Life Care Intelligence Network, only eight per cent of people who die with dementia pass away at home, compared to 21 per cent of the general population aged 65 and above.