WITH 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK - and the number set to rise to more than a million by 2012 - raising awareness of the condition has never been more important.

Dementia Awareness Week, which runs until May 24, is all about opening up and getting help.

Dementia is not a disease but a collection of symptoms that result from damage to the brain. These symptoms can be caused by a number of conditions.

The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease.

Common symptoms include memory loss e.g. forgetting recent events, messages routes or names, and asking questions repetitively, finding it difficult to plan and organise tasks and activities, becoming confused in unfamiliar environments, having difficulty finding the right words and changes in personality and mood and depression.

Dr Sue Wells, medical director of NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group - which is responsible for commissioning local health services - said: “Early symptoms of dementia are often mild and may get worse only very gradually.

"This means that the person with dementia and those around them may not notice these signs or take them seriously for some time. Also, people with dementia sometimes do not recognise that they have any symptoms.”

“If you're worried that you, or someone close to you, may have dementia, it can be difficult to talk about. You may feel scared, confused or even ashamed.

"You may also be hoping that the problem will go away so you don't have to deal with it. The NHS is here to listen and your family doctor is one of the gateways to the help you may need.

"Taking that first step to talk to someone about it is the first and most important step you can take.”

Alzheimer’s Society Wirral has a number of events organised to raise awareness of help and support available locally:

  • May 18 to May 23 - information stand, with volunteers providing information, at Asda Store, Woodchurch.  The mayor of Wirral will be at the store to meet members of the Volunteer Fundraising group on Saturday, May 23 at 11.30 am.

 

  • Tuesday, May 19, 11am – 1pm - a Dementia café drop in at the Floral Pavilion
     
  • Wednesday, May 20, 10am-4pm - information stand in the foyer of Wirral University Hospital NHS Trust (Arrowe Park Hospital).
     
  • Barbara Baker from the Volunteer Fundraising Group will also be on Clatterbridge Radio and Radio City during the week.
     
  • There will also be information stands in local libraries and at Springview Hospital on the Clatterbridge site.

For further information on the wide range of activities and support offered by Alzheimer’s Society Wirral, please phone 0151 630 5206  or visit alzheimers.org.uk and select the “Wirral” option on the Home page.

Alzheimer’s Society Merseyside has a range of services which support people with dementia and their carers. These include Singing for the Brain, Dementia Cafes and much more. For details contact the North West Area Office on 01925 572 239 or email nnw@alzheimers.org.uk.

Throughout Dementia Awareness Week, the Alzheimer's Society will also be raising awareness and running fund-raising events across England, Wales and Northern Ireland supported by a national advertising campaign.

People can contact the Alzheimer’s Society on 0300 222 1122 or email helpline@alzheimers.org.uk