Online dementia 'family' celebrates 1000th member!

An online support group for people with dementia and their carers, hosted by the Alzheimer's Society website, is celebrating the registration of its 1000th member.

In the two years since Talking Point was launched over 14,000 messages have been posted on more than 1,500 different topics. The discussion forum is primarily used by carers who frequently refer to it as a lifeline, and in 2005 alone membership to Talking Point has risen by 20 per cent.

Bruce cares for his wife Jan who has early onset dementia. He is also one of five volunteer members of Talking Point who are responsible for monitoring the contents of the forum and ensuring every new member is made to feel welcome. He says:

'I learned about Talking Point through the Alzheimer's Society newsletter. I signed up at once as soon as I saw what was on TP, and started to make my first contributions. The members of Talking Point are an outstanding group of people, quite amazingly supportive. That is probably why we now have members on all of the continents bar Antarctica - and I wouldn't fully write that one off.'

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

'Over the years Talking Point has developed into an online community - some even refer to it as a family - where members can offer each other advice and support from wherever they may be in the world. The importance of letting people know that they're not on their own cannot be underestimated.'

Personal testimonies from Talking Point members:

'Talking Point (TP) is a rock; an escape; a little world of friends, removed from the cares of the day; something to hold onto and look forward to at the end of each day. TP is there for us to rant; to sympathise; to open our hearts and in return find some comfort with our big family. There is always someone there for us.' (Norman)

'TP provides a unique forum where I can express the feelings of utter devastation, loneliness, bewilderment, bitterness and despair that are experienced at times by anyone whose loved one has dementia. I am sure I am not the only one who would have cracked without fellow 'dementia families' to talk at TP.' (Janey)

'I come to TP and mostly just read the other posts, which I take great comfort from. Here I get unconditional support and all the information I need. If I have a problem I do a search, usually someone has had the same problem before. Being stuck in the house a lot of the time, TP is a friend; always there whatever time of day or night.' (Anne)

For case studies or further information about Talking Point and the work of the Alzheimer's Society 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.
• Using Talking Point is easy. You need to register, but do not need to give your real name, and your email address is not available to members. Please visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/TalkingPoint
• 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 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/.