Sunderland musician supports Dementia Awareness Week

The event, part of Alzheimer's Society's major awareness campaign, saw people with dementia, carers and school children from Bernard Gilpin and Portobello primary schools in County Durham gather at Beamish Museum to enjoy retro games, songs and a good old fashioned picnic.

The flagship event came as a joint poll commissioned by Alzheimer's Society and Saga Homecare shows that nearly two thirds of people living in the North East are worried about dementia.

The YouGov survey - released to mark Dementia Awareness Week ™ - found that 64% per cent of people in the North East say they are worried about dementia in some way. The majority of people (62%) are worried about either themselves or someone they know developing dementia in later life. Yet despite their fears only a fifth (20%) of people want to know more about the condition.

The event at Beamish, aimed at encouraging people to remember the person behind the condition of dementia, combined entertainment with reminiscence activities designed to encourage people living with dementia to talk about their memories.

Ross Millard, vocalist for Sunderland indie band The Futureheads, said:

'It was great to help kick off Dementia Awareness Week at Beamish and learn more about dementia in the process. Over 32,000 people in the North East have some form of dementia but there are so many misconceptions about it. Dementia isn't just a natural part of growing old, and it's important to point out that it is possible to live well with the condition - yesterday showed me how important it is to look past someone's dementia and remember the person that they are and continue to be.'

Caroline Burden, Alzheimer's Society Area Manager for the North East, said:

'Dementia can have a huge impact on the lives those affected and there is currently no cure, so it's not surprising that people are so worried.

'However, a lot of anxiety comes from a lack of knowledge about the help and treatments that are available to support people to live well for longer.

'This Dementia Awareness Week™ we need to stop worrying and start understanding dementia. Whether you have five minutes or half an hour, please take some time to find out more about the condition. Only through knowing more will we ensure that people with the condition are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.'

Alzheimer's Society's 'Dementia Awareness Week™' is being held in partnership with Saga Homecare. Saga Homecare, which is part of the larger Saga group, provides care at home for people who want to maintain their independence and stay in their own homes.John Ivers, Chief Executive of Saga Homecare said:

'We are delighted to be partnering with Alzheimer's Society in raising awareness of dementia. Saga Homecare has extensive experience of providing ongoing support to people with this condition and we are harnessing our resources to help Alzheimer's Society make an impact with this worthwhile campaign.'

This Dementia Awareness Week™ Alzheimer's Society is encouraging people to 'remember the person' by looking beyond someone's diagnosis and engaging with them. The charity is helping people to learn more about dementia by promoting five things everyone should know - key lessons include dementia is not a natural part of ageing and it's possible to live well with dementia.

Events will be taking place across the North East throughout Dementia Awareness Week™. Find out how you can get involved.