Pressure on care services for older people will increase as the number of people with dementia doubles over the next 20 years, scientists have warned. As the Government consults on the future of care for older people, research by Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) predicted, over the next 20 years, there would be a 40% increase in Europe, and the number could double worldwide. Most councils, faced with crippling costs, have been forced to reduce their support for older people to those assessed to have a critical-level care need. The charity called on the Government to make dementia a health priority, with the same level of importance as cancer and heart disease. ‘People, the Government, and the community need to understand that these numbers are an emergency,' said Daisy Acosta, ADI chairman.