Head start for new projects

Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia but very few people have heard of it. The risk of developing vascular dementia is higher for people who have conditions like high blood pressure, cholesterol or diabetes, or have a history of heart disease or stroke.

Over the next two years each of the winning projects will be looking at ways of improving services, information and support for people with vascular dementia or those at risk.

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society says,

'The Hearts and Brains campaign is a really important initiative for the Alzheimer's Society as vascular dementia affects over 150,000 people in the UK. If measures are taken early enough to prevent and control the underlying conditions, we can lower the risk of people developing vascular dementia. At the same time we need to provide information and support to people with vascular dementia and their carers.

We are delighted to grant these awards to three exciting projects and we look forward to seeing the results and the impact they make. Other health centres and those working with, or caring for, people with vascular dementia could benefit from these projects in the future.'

Staff at the Gnosall Health Centre in Staffordshire will create a register of its patients who are most likely to develop vascular dementia. They will be assigned to a health visitor who can give them specialist advice and guidance as well as support from specially trained volunteers from the Gnosall Patients Forum.

Dr Ian Greaves, the lead partner of the Gnosall Heath Centre says,

'If we are to identify those people who are most likely to develop vascular dementia, it is vital that health professionals such as dementia specialists, mental health and primary care staff work together. People with vascular dementia and those who care for them also need to know that there is someone there for them who can give them practical support.'

The Society's Stockport branch is going to employ an outreach worker who will focus on improving the quality of life of people with vascular dementia. They will give advice about managing specific symptoms and encourage the adoption of a healthy lifestyle that might help to slow the progression of the disease.

Carol Rushton from the Stockport and District branch of the Alzheimer's Society, says,

'The project will increase the health and well being of people with vascular dementia and their carers with the emphasis on diet, mood, support and health prevention. People with vascular dementia often feel isolated so we are hoping to promote a better understanding of the disease to the public.'

Ethnic minority communities may be at particular risk from vascular dementia. The Tower Hamlets branch of the Alzheimer's Society will be aiming to raise awareness of the disease among ethnic minority groups through leaflets translated into other languages and with the aid of interpreters at specially organised events.

Emily Sawyer of the Tower Hamlets branch of the Alzheimer's Society says,

'We need to make our information more widely available to all the different ethnic groups in the borough to raise awareness of vascular dementia. Community-based dementia services are not being taken up by the Bangladeshi community so we hope to encourage people to use them particularly as they are in one of the higher risk groups.'

For further information, contact the Alzheimer's Society press office.

Notes for editors

• Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia. It is caused by problems with the supply of blood to the brain.
• Conditions affecting the heart, arteries or the circulation of blood to the brain can cause vascular dementia.
• Lifestyle factors that increase cholesterol and blood pressure may play a part in the development of the disease.
• People from some countries may be at particular risk of developing vascular dementia. People from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have higher rates of coronary heart disease than other populations. The link between the heart and the brain means vascular dementia is more likely for these people. People with an African - Caribbean ethnic background are more likely to have diabetes and high blood pressure than people from a European background, so vascular dementia may also be more common.
• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
• The Alzheimer's Society's Hearts and Brains initiative is a three-year project sponsored by the Department of Health.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80.
• There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
• Our website address is: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.