Charity calls for national campaign to tackle dementia stigma
Published 7 October 2008
Half of all UK adults believe dementia is a condition plagued by stigma, double that associated with cancer, according to new Alzheimer's Society research launched by author Terry Pratchett.
Alzheimer's Society is urgently calling for national awareness campaigns to halve this stigma in 5 years. People with dementia involved in the research reported losing friends after a diagnosis of dementia, neighbours crossing the street as they approached and professionals dismissing symptoms as just old age.
No one involved in the research regretted being told about his or her dementia, but the quality of diagnosis varied immensely. Only a third of people with dementia ever receive a diagnosis.
Neil Hunt, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Society, says,
'Alzheimer's Society will lead the fight against stigma and we want to see it reduced by half in 5 years. Today's report exposes the desperate need to increase awareness among the public and professionals. There must be investment in national awareness campaigns. Government, charities, services and employers need to work together to make this a reality.
Dementia is caused by physical diseases of the brain and one in three people over 65 will die with the condition. It's absolutely disgraceful that people with dementia are still plagued by a stigma that affects their friends, families and the professionals they rely on for help.'
Terry Pratchett OBE, author and person with dementia will launch the report today on behalf of people with dementia. He says,
'It's a strange life when you 'come out' people get embarrassed, lower their voices and get lost for words. When Milton's Satan stood in the pit of hell and raged at heaven, he was merely a trifle miffed compared to how I felt on the day I was diagnosed.
'What is needed is will and determination. The first step is to talk openly about dementia because it's a fact, well enshrined in folklore that if we are to kill the demon then first we have to say its name.
'Seven hundred thousand people who have dementia in this country are not heard. I'm fortunate; I can be heard. This report allows others to bring dementia out of the shadows.'
Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, says,
Dementia: Out of the Shadows identifies 5 vital steps to reduce dementia stigma:
