Dementia affects everyone - Alzheimer's Awareness Week 2006

Clive Evers, director of information and education at the Alzheimer's Society said,

'Dementia is something that people still don't like to talk about because it brings fear, but it can affect everyone, whether personally or someone in your family, a work colleague or a neighbour, regardless of gender, ethnic group or sexuality. This is why Alzheimer's Awareness Week is such an important time for us to encourage people to find out more about dementia. If someone is worried about their memory or someone they know we want them to come to us to find out more.'

John Cox who has Alzheimer's disease said,

'I was surprised when I was told that I had Alzheimer's disease because I thought it was something that older people got. I knew that I had memory problems but I didn't really know much more than that. I think its really important that we speak up and let people know what its like to live with dementia.'

Clive Evers, director of information and education, is available on an ISDN line on Monday morning for interviews to talk about dementia, what to look out for and how to deal with it.

To find out what's happening in your area and to speak to any local case studies call the Alzheimer's Society press office.

Notes for editors

• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.
• 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/.