Pharmacists need more support to advise people with dementia

The poll of more than 270 retail pharmacists in England was commissioned by Alzheimer's Society and pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and Novartis as part of the charity's Worried about your memory? campaign.  

Sixty four per cent of pharmacists said they would like more information on local support services for people with dementia and their families. They also asked for information on reducing the risk of dementia (63%); the management of dementia (60%); how dementia is diagnosed (58%) and the symptoms of dementia (56%).

Andrew Chidgey, Alzheimer's Society Head of Policy and Public Affairs, says,

'The results of the poll clearly show that not only do the public have a need for this information, but that it is imperative that pharmacists are equipped with sufficient knowledge and information to pass onto their clients.  Dementia is shockingly under-diagnosed and the more we can equip practitioners on the frontline to support people who are worried about their memory, the quicker they can get a diagnosis and the support that they need to live as well as possible.'

Alzheimer's Society says there are currently 750,000 people living with dementia in the UK, yet only a third of them have had a diagnosis. Alzheimer's Society's Worried about your memory? campaign aims to encourage people worried about their memory or that of a friend or loved one to seek help from their GP.  Leaflets and posters were mailed to more than 2,000 pharmacies in England.  The pharmacists were asked to display the materials to highlight how people worried about their memory or that of a friend or family member could get help. More than 800 people have requested an information booklet as a result.

-Ends-

Notes to editors:

• Worried about your memory? was launched across England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2009 and reached 80,000 people after leaflets were delivered to GPs across the country. Of those who requested further information, one in five went on to get a diagnosis. The campaign was relaunched in August 2010, with new flyers and leaflets being sent to 10,000 GP surgeries.
•  To find out more about dementia visit alzheimers.org.uk/memoryworry

Fact about dementia

• Dementia is not a single illness but a group of symptoms caused by damage to the brain. The symptoms include loss of memory, mood changes and confusion.
  
• Dementia affects everyone in different ways, but you should seek help without delay if your memory is not as good as it used to be and especially if you:
• struggle to remember recent events, although you can easily recall things that happened in the past
• find it hard to follow conversations or programmes on TV
• forget the names of friends or everyday objects
• cannot recall things you have heard, seen or read
• notice that you repeat yourself or lose the thread of what you are saying
• have problems thinking and reasoning
• feel anxious, depressed or angry about your forgetfulness
• find that other people start to comment on your forgetfulness
• feel confused even when in a familiar environment
• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just 15 years a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk