THE number of people diagnosed with dementia in Notts rose by almost 500 last year.

In 2010, 4,650 people in Nottingham and Notts were diagnosed with the condition, while in 2011 this rose to 5,128 – up by 478.

A study by the Alzheimer's Society also found less than 42 per cent of people living with dementia in Notts and less than 54 per cent of people in Nottingham had been officially diagnosed.

Ian Howarth, East Midlands area manager for the society, said: "It's shocking that well over half of people that are living with dementia still don't have a diagnosis in the East Midlands and so aren't receiving the support, benefits and the medical treatments that are often available."

Rodney Fogg's wife Pamela, 65, developed Alzheimer's Disease in her late 50s.

Mr Fogg, 67, of Radcliffe-on-Trent, said: "The care and support doesn't seem to be triggered until you get that important piece of paper, so the earlier you can get a diagnosis the better.''