World Alzheimer's Report highlights importance of Dementia Awareness Campaign

Today is World Alzheimer’s Day, which has been met by a new Department of Health campaign supported by the Alzheimer’s Society.

The three-month campaign aims to encourage early diagnosis by encouraging people to talk more openly about concerns for cognitive health, with medical experts agreeing that a speedy response to diagnosis is essential for effective long-term treatment.

Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, comments: “Our goal is to make this country a world leader in tackling the challenge of dementia. That requires us all to play our part, including being brave enough to start conversations about dementia to get our loved ones the early help we know makes a difference.”

“Initial signs and symptoms of dementia, which is caused by diseases including Alzheimer’s Disease, may include short-term memory loss that affects daily life, unexplained anxiety or depression and problems thinking or reasoning, such as finding it hard to follow conversations or TV programmes.”

The experience of adults diagnosed with dementia and their carers suggests that a major stigma still exists around the world, after research undertaken by the World Alzheimer’s Report found that a quarter of people with dementia have hidden their diagnosis for fear of negative associations.

Findings from the Report – the largest of its kind – found that 75 per cent of people with dementia and 64 per cent of family carers agree that stigma is a major problem, with 2,500 people surveyed across more than 50 countries.

Key recommendations for tackling the stigma include that people with dementia need to be more involved with their local communities, that adults diagnosed with dementia should be given a voice, and that the general public need to be better educated on conditions like Alzheimer’s.

Chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society Jeremy Hughes comments: “At a time when they need more support, people with dementia are still coming up against closed doors and turned backs. While this wall of stigma might seem insurmountable, we are beginning to break it down in the UK. Across the country people and organisations are coming together to help make communities dementia friendly.

“With only 43 per cent of people with dementia in the UK having a diagnosis, it is vital we also tackle the stigma and misunderstanding that is preventing people discussing their concerns or going to their GP. Only with a diagnosis can people access vital treatments and support. That is why Alzheimer’s Society is supporting the Department of Health today to launch its dementia awareness campaign.”