Dementia - not in my street?

On Coronation Street, Mike Baldwin's partner, Penny King is finding this out.

Recent episode of ITV's leading soap Coronation Street have shown long standing character and notorious ladies man Mike Baldwin becoming increasingly forgetful and confused. Members of his close family have begun to notice changes in his behaviour and it has begun to affect his work. Whilst scenes in the factory have shown Mike getting confused, angry and firing staff, Penny is seen struggling to know what to do. Memory loss and confusion are symptoms of a number of different medical conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, and should not be ignored.

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

'If you or someone you know has memory problems you should go to your GP, they may be able to put your mind at rest or arrange for further investigation. However, the current Coronation Street storyline illustrates how difficult it can be to admit that you need help. Some causes of memory loss are curable and if it is a type of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, it is vital that people get access to treatment and services as soon as possible.

Dementia affects over 750,000 people in the UK, and in some way touches every street in the country so it is also important that people know more about dementia and what to do if they need help. Hopefully the Coronation Street storyline will remove the stigma wrongly associated with dementia, and improve public understanding of the condition.'

For more information on ways that the Alzheimer's Society is supporting Coronation Street or to arrange interviews of people who have been through similar experiences to Mike and Penny please 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.
• NICE - the campaign continues. On 1 March 2005 the National Institute of Clinical Excellence issued draft guidance stating that drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease should be withdrawn from the NHS because of cost. The Alzheimer's Society is campaigning tirelessly to change this guidance to ensure drug treatments that work are available to those who need them.
• 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: www.alzheimers.org.uk.