Nationwide dementia screening to tackle 'crisis' among elderly Screening will also be introduced into the NHS health check programme for people aged 40 to 74. Mr Lansley told the Daily Mail: "When you talk to people about their concerns for the future, it's evident that dementia is a bigger concern even than having cancer. We are looking for early diagnosis where physiological signs might not be as easy to pick up. We are increasingly able to support people with early diagnosis to sustain their memory and their overall mental agility. Sufferers of dementia, which causes the mind to deteriorate, currently fill a quarter of all hospital beds. Health ministers are also concerned that the 19 billion cost of treating Britain's 67,000 dementia patients every year is higher than that of treating cancer, heart disease or stroke sufferers. Alzheimer's Disease is the most common cause of dementia and the most feared complaint among people over the age of 55 in the UK, behind cancer and stroke. However, only one in four people with the illness are diagnosed. We fought the stigma, stepped up to the challenge and made massive inroads into fighting these killers. We need an all-out fightback against this disease; one that cuts across society. Local authorities are continuing to ration care of the elderly by the minute despite government pledges to end the practice, it was disclosed last night. Almost half of councils allocate a minimum period of only 15 minutes for carers to wash dress and feed patients with dementia who require care at home. The Labour Government vowed three years ago the end time slots for the care of patients at home.