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Dementia awareness soars

in
Date published: 
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
News source: 
Alzheimer’s Research Trust
Region: 
United Kingdom
Featured item on home page: 
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The notion that dementia is an inevitable part of getting old has been thoroughly rejected by the public, according to an Alzheimer’s Research Trust / YouGov poll.

The new nationally representative poll asked nearly 2,000 people what they believed dementia is. An overwhelming majority – 85% – correctly believe it to be “a condition that causes memory loss and mental decline that cannot be cured with currently available treatments.” Only 6% wrongly believe dementia can currently be cured.

In contrast, a 2007 YouGov poll found that 62% of all Britons assume that memory loss is a natural part of ageing and therefore would not encourage a relative to seek medical advice.
 
The news comes as the Alzheimer’s Research Trust holds a major public event at the Royal Institution in London, which will see the UK’s leading dementia scientists discuss how people can reduce their dementia risk. The evening will be introduced by award-winning actress and Patron of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, Lindsay Duncan, who has welcomed the increase of public understanding about dementia.
 
Prof Julie Williams, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, who is speaking at the Royal Institution event, said:

“Awareness of dementia and the threat it poses to society is at an all time high, and this is vitally important. The condition is already affecting some 700,000 people in the UK, but with a forecast doubling in prevalence; it threatens to become the predominant public health issue of the next generation.”
 
Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said:
“Rising awareness of dementia is to be welcomed, but cannot alone solve the problem: we need to fight the condition through research. Our scientists are making astonishing progress, but are held back by a lack of funds. With the right support, we can defeat dementia.”
 
Lindsay Duncan, Patron of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said:
“People are beginning to understand that Alzheimer’s is a disease we are dealing with. It is now the minority who still think that odd behaviour is the inevitable consequence of old age. And the stigma of the disease, which of course can affect and ruin the lives of younger people too, is gradually being removed as information replaces ignorance.”
 
‘Can we control Alzheimer’s?’ takes place at the Royal Institution of Great Britain, 21 Albemarle Street, London W1S 4BS, Wednesday 20th May, 6.30pm. To attend, please contact the Alzheimer’s Research Trust on 01223 843899. Places are free, but limited.

 

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