Iconic Bond girl opens dementia Roadshow to provide lifeline to Northern Irish families

Published 14 June 2011

Greg Crummy, Customer Service Manager, Britt Ekland, Jean Cardy, Community Champion, Paul Reilly, Store Manager, Linda Forbes, Dementia Support worker ,Gayle McKee, Media Volunteer, at the launch of the UK’s first ever Dementia Community Roadshow at Tesc

Today, 14 June, actress Britt Ekland launches the UK’s first ever Dementia Community Roadshow at Tesco Knocknagoney Road store in Belfast.

With more than 10,000 people predicted to be living in Northern Ireland with undiagnosed dementia in 2021, Alzheimer's Society's Roadshow is an essential first step in providing much needed information and advice about the condition.

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. 40% of people with dementia in Northern Ireland currently don't have a diagnosis. 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, which launches during Dementia Awareness Week, 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.

Britt Ekland, actress, Bond girl and Patron of Alzheimer's Society says:

'My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in her early 50s and in those days it wasn't as understood as it is today. I hope this Roadshow continues to lift the taboos around dementia and I'd really encourage anyone with questions about dementia to come down and find out more.'

Bernadine McCrory, Acting Director of Alzheimer's Society in Northern Ireland says:

'It's really worrying that forty per cent of people with dementia in Northern Ireland don't have access to the help and support they need to live well with the condition. This Roadshow really is pioneering as 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.'

Tony McElroy Corporate Affairs Manager, Northern Ireland, Tesco said:

'With stores all over Northern Ireland, we're really proud to help Alzheimer's Society raise awareness of dementia. 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 Visit alzheimers.org.uk/memoryworry if you are worried about their memory, or find out more about dementia.

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.