While all the countries including Mauritius emphasize on taking care of the old, Britain on the other hand feel that their senior citizens are a burden on the country.
The increasing health issues that come with aging result in higher costs for the healthcare system, particularly with conditions like dementia affecting approximately one in 11 people in the UK. However, the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which oversees drug spending, has decided against allowing a new drug that slows the progression of Alzheimer’s to be available on the NHS, citing its high cost and limited benefits.
This medication, Donanemab, has been hailed as a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s treatment due to its ability to mitigate the advancement of this debilitating condition, which erodes memory and cognitive functions, significantly impacting quality of life. Despite its potential to make a substantial difference, NICE deems it financially untenable for the healthcare system. With the anticipated increase in the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s in the UK, from one million presently to an estimated 1.4 million in 2040, the demand for treatment, along with its associated costs, is expected to rise. This has led to reluctance in allocating funds for drugs such as Donanemab, as they may strain healthcare budgets.
However, the bigger concern lies in the emerging sentiment that the elderly population is being deprioritized. This is evident in various policy shifts, including reductions in winter fuel payments, growing support for assisted dying, and now, constraints on drug spending. These trends collectively reflect a cultural shift that devalues the elderly, prompting concerns about the significance placed on the well-being and care of older individuals.
Source: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/10/24/no-country-holds-their-elderly-in-greater-contempt-than-uk/?ICID=continue_without_subscribing_reg_first