Actress Sam Giles and the Mayor of Wrexham open new dementia Roadshow

Published 2 November 2011

Actress Sam Giles, the Mayor of Wrexham and a group from Alzheimer's Society stand in front of a Roadshow bus.

Actress Sam Giles and the Mayor of Wrexham today opened the first ever Dementia Community Roadshow in Wales at the Wrexham Tesco store on Crescent Road.

With almost 36,000 people predicted to be living in Wales with undiagnosed dementia in 2021, Alzheimer's Society's Roadshow is a vital first step in providing much needed information and advice about the condition.

The vehicle, funded by Tesco, will be at the store for two days, and will be open to visitors between 10am and 4pm. People who are currently living with dementia, are worried about a friend or relative's memory, or just have questions about the condition are encouraged to drop by with no appointment necessary.

A joint Mapping the Dementia Gap study published earlier this year from Tesco, Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland revealed huge variations in the numbers of people with dementia receiving a diagnosis around the UK. In Wales a shocking 64 per cent of people with dementia don't have a diagnosis. In the Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University health board 58 per cent of people don't have a diagnosis and yet this soars to 71 per cent in the Betsi Cadwaladr health board. Many people delay seeking help because of low awareness of symptoms and treatments or fear they will lose their independence. But a formal diagnosis is vital for people with dementia so they can access drugs, support and advice to enable them to live well with the condition.

The Dementia Community Roadshow aims to reach 100,000 people over three years and will visit Tesco car parks across the UK spending two days at every store it visits. The Roadshow will help raise awareness, provide vital information and advice on dementia, direct people to essential local services and help bring people concerned about their memory one step closer to achieving a diagnosis.

Actress, Sam Giles, best known for playing Bernice Thomas in Emmerdale and Alzheimer's Society supporter said:

'Having personally experienced caring for a loved one with dementia, I appreciate the work Alzheimer's Society does to help those affected by the condition. It's vital that we raise awareness of dementia in Wales and that's why I'm extremely proud to support the new Roadshow. I would encourage anyone with questions about dementia to visit the Roadshow and find out more - nobody should have to face this alone.'

Sue Phelps, Alzheimer's Society Director for Wales, said:

'It's really worrying that sixty-four per cent of people with dementia in Wales don't have access to the help and support they need to live well with the condition. This partnership with Tesco has enabled us to establish a Roadshow that really is pioneering. It will help us reach out to communities, tackle stigma by raising awareness of the condition and encourage people who are worried about their memory to visit their GP.'

Josh Hardie, Tesco Head of Corporate Responsibility, said:

'With stores across Wales, we're really proud to help Alzheimer's Society raise awareness of dementia throughout the county. Our staff and customers have already been showing great support for our Charity of the Year and we hope that together we can build a better future for people with dementia.'

People can find out when the Dementia Community Roadshow will be in their area or can request the Roadshow visits a Tesco store near them at www.alzheimers-tesco.org.uk. If people are worried about their memory, or are affected by dementia, and the Dementia Community Roadshow isn't coming to their area soon, they can visit www.alzheimers.org.uk for further information and advice.

Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland are Tesco Charity of the Year 2011. Together they aim to raise £5 million and for each day of the partnership, aim to help 300 people live better with dementia. As well as the Roadshow, the partnership will fund new research and dementia support professionals to help those living with the condition.

Dementia and diagnosis rates for Wales are available in an interactive map.

The Roadshow is visiting the following Tesco stores in Wales (10 - 4pm)