Time to 'Think Again' about dementia

But two and a half years later, after visiting three different specialists and undergoing a number of scans, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The news came as a devastating blow to her and her family. Her husband Tony says: 'We were left alone in a state of complete distress, facing an uncertain future.'

There is a widespread misunderstanding that only older people get dementia and that it's a natural part of the ageing process, but there are over 18,000 people in the UK, who like Ruth, have dementia and are under the age of 65. The Alzheimer's Society is launching a new campaign to make people think again about what dementia means, highlighting the fact that dementia can affect anyone, at any age.

Although the symptoms of dementia are similar whatever a person's age, younger people with dementia may have different needs. Ruth's husband Tony explains:

'Ruth is more active than an older person. Her age has also seen the arrival of the menopause with its hot flushes so my small plastic fan is always at hand. Arranging breast screening and cervical smears are also issues that have been passed to me.

But the greatest difficulty I have is trying to come to terms with the dreadful reality that Alzheimer's brings. At 55 years of age, my life is in a vacuum. I am unable to move my life forward, yet I am also terrified of being without her.'

A new strategy to support younger people with dementia, their carers and families is being launched to coincide with Alzheimer's Awareness Week® (3-9 July 2005). The Alzheimer's Society strongly believes that younger people with dementia require specialist services appropriate for their needs. Existing services for people with dementia do not adequately meet these needs. Younger people with dementia are more likely to:

• Be in work at the time of diagnosis
• Have dependent children
• Have heavy financial commitments, such as a mortgage
• Have a rarer form of dementia
• Find it more difficult to access appropriate information.

For case studies or more information about the Think Again campaign, please contact 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.
• The Society is holding Alzheimer's Awareness Week® 2005 from 3-9 July in England and Wales. The theme is younger people with dementia.
• 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.
• The Alzheimer's Society is the Medical Journalists' Association Medical Charity of the Year. The Alzheimer's Society is the first organisation to win this award.
• Over 750,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's. Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over 80.
• There are over 18,000 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/.