Page updated: 07 Mar 2011
New campaign encourages people in Trafford to seek an early dementia diagnosis
A new Government pilot campaign was launched on Friday 4 March in the North West aimed at increasing early diagnosis of dementia. It encourages people to recognise the signs and symptoms of the condition and urges them to seek advice from their GP if they are worried.
Latest figures show that in Trafford, there is an estimated 2,652 people with dementia and of those people approximately 1,705 remain undiagnosed and are missing out on access to the right treatment and support to help them live well. In the North West, there is an estimated 82,661 people with dementia and of those people approximately 46,709 remain undiagnosed.
In Trafford the figure of people living with dementia is expected to rise to an estimated 3,316* people in 2021. New statistics also show that in England 80 per cent agree that the earlier dementia is diagnosed, the easier it is to help treat the symptoms; however 52 per cent of people agree they do not know enough about dementia to be able to help somebody**.
An early dementia diagnosis is crucial to enable people to get the right support and treatment needed and can improve a person’s quality of life, helping to maintain independence for longer. Fortunately, the signs and symptoms of dementia can be spotted early and include;
- Struggling to remember recent events, although a person can easily recall things that happened in the past;
- Finding it hard to follow conversations or programmes on TV;
- Forgetting the names of friends or everyday objects;
- Difficulty recalling things that have been heard, seen or read;
- A person repeating things or losing the thread of what they are saying;
- Problems with thinking and reasoning;
- Feeling anxious, depressed or angry about memory loss;
- Finding that other people start to comment on a person’s memory loss;
- Feeling confused even when in a familiar environment.
Dr Mike Cheshire, Medical Director of NHS North West, added; “Research has shown that people don’t know enough about dementia to be able to help – recognising the signs and symptoms, talking about it and seeking advice are the crucial steps to receiving a diagnosis. For example if a loved one is struggling to remember recent events, but can easily recall things that happened in the past, this could be one of the signs of dementia. We have local specialist services to support people living with dementia and their carers, and I would urge people who are worried about dementia symptoms to seek advice from their GP.”
While having a discussion with a loved one about dementia can be difficult, the earlier that a person receives a diagnosis, the sooner treatment and support can be provided to help them. It can also be a relief when a person receives a dementia diagnosis, as they are able to understand what the problem is and can be reassured that help and support is available. Medication can also be provided which helps delay the progression of the illness.
The pilot campaign is being supported by the Alzheimer’s Society and Margaret Irving, Alzheimer’s Society Area manager for the North West adds; “A diagnosis of dementia is not just a label. It is vital to help people access support, get treatment and make sense of what is happening to them. People with dementia and their families often tell us that they were fearful of a diagnosis but that it gave them certainty and the ability to begin understanding what they can do to live well with dementia. But the big question is, how much do you really know about dementia? As dementia increases, we all need to take the time to understand and talk about dementia as families and as a society. Alzheimer’s Society is a good place to start, or talk to your GP if you are worried about your memory. ”
Dementia facts
- Dementia describes different brain disorders that trigger a loss of brain function. These conditions are all usually progressive and eventually severe.
- Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, affecting 62 per cent of those diagnosed.
- There are currently 650,000 people with dementia in England.
- 25 million people in the UK know a family member, close friend, or someone else with dementia.
- Dementia costs the UK over £17 billion each year in care costs and hospital admissions.
- Unpaid carers supporting someone with dementia save the economy £6 billion a year.
- There are over 16,000 people under 65 with dementia in the UK.
- Although dementia is a terminal condition, people can live with it for 7–12 years after diagnosis.
- By 2025 there will be over 1 million people in the UK living with dementia.
For further information about the signs and symptoms of dementia, please visit www.nhs.uk/dementia
Issued by COI News & PR North West
* Source: Source: Mapping the Dementia Gap, a study produced by Tesco, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Scotland - Numbers of people with dementia in 2010 and 2021 in local health areas and Strategic Health Authority areas
http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/download_info.php?fileID=1058
**Source: Dementia Living Well Campaign Tracking Results, 27 April 2010