Dementia Community Roadshow provides lifeline to 100,000 families

With more than a million people predicted to be living with undiagnosed dementia in 2021, the Roadshow is an essential first step in providing much needed information and advice about the condition.

The Charity of the Year partnership launched in March this year and published a joint Mapping the Dementia Gap study that revealed huge variations in the numbers of people with dementia receiving a diagnosis around the UK. Overall, 60% of people with dementia in the UK currently don't have a diagnosis. Many people delay seeking help because of low awareness of symptoms and treatments or fear they will lose their independence. But a formal diagnosis is vital for people with dementia so they can access drugs, support and advice to enable them to live well with the condition.

The Dementia Community Roadshow aims to reach 100,000 people over three years and will visit Tesco car parks across the UK spending two days at every store it visits. The Roadshow will help raise awareness, provide vital information and advice on dementia, direct people to essential, local services and help bring people concerned about their memory one step closer to achieving a diagnosis.

Britt Ekland, film star, former Bond girl and Patron of Alzheimer's Society will launch the first Roadshow event in Belfast on 14 June. She says:

'My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in her early 50s and in those days it wasn't so understood as it is today. I hope this Roadshow continues to lift the taboos around dementia and I'd really encourage anyone with questions about the condition to visit the website and find out when a Roadshow is visiting them.'

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Society says:

'It's really worrying that sixty per cent of people with dementia in the UK don't have access to the help and support they need. Thanks to our partnership with Tesco, we are starting a Roadshow that really is pioneering. It will help us reach out to communities, tackle stigma by raising awareness of the condition and encourage people who are worried about their memory to visit their GP.'

David Reid, Chairman, Tesco said:

'We're very proud to help Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland raise awareness of dementia in the communities our stores serve across the UK.  Almost half of our staff and customers have a loved one or friend with dementia.  We hope that customers take the opportunity to visit the Roadshow and together we hope to build a better future for people with dementia.'

People can find out when the Dementia Community Roadshow will be in their area or can request the Roadshow visits a Tesco store near them at www.alzheimers-tesco.org.uk. If people are worried about their memory, or are affected by dementia, and the Dementia Community Roadshow isn't coming to their area soon, they can visit www.alzheimers.org.uk for further information and advice.

Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland are Tesco Charity of the Year 2011. Together they aim to raise £5million and for each day of the partnership, aim to help 300 people live better with dementia. As well as the Roadshow, the partnership will fund new research and dementia support professionals to help those living with the condition.

Dementia and diagnosis rates for the UK are available in an interactive map at www.alzheimers-tesco.org.uk

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For interviews and images, please contact Vicky Ames at vicky.ames@alzheimers.org.uk or call 020 7423 3595 or Jenny Hamer at jenny.hamer@alzheimers.org.uk or call 020 7423 3595

For more information about Alzheimer's Society, Alzheimer Scotland and Tesco Charity of the Year 2011 please visit alzheimers-tesco.org.uk

Notes to Editors

• Together Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland are Tesco Charity of the Year 2011 and hope to raise £5 million to fund Dementia Community Roadshows, Dementia Support and research.
• The partnership with Tesco presents a three step approach to help build a better future for people with dementia:
• The Dementia Community Roadshows will visit Tesco car parks all around the UK from June 2011. It will help bring people worried about their memory one step closer to achieving a diagnosis by encouraging them to visit their GP and arming them with the information they need to help them achieve a diagnosis
• After diagnosis, the Dementia Support Services will help isolated families get the specialist care and advice they need
• Two vital dementia scientists will conduct groundbreaking research into the disease and increase our understanding of possible life-changing treatments and support
• The partnership will be supported throughout the year by a range of product promotions in Tesco stores which will donate a proportion of their sales to the charities. A donation of 0.0125p will also be made by Tesco Personal Finance PLC every time a cash machine is used at Tesco until 29 February 2012. Clubcard customers can now donate their points to Alzheimer's Society.
• Alzheimer's Society - Alzheimer's Society is the leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Alzheimer's Society provides information, education and support to help people live their lives to the full. Alzheimer's Society also funds research to improve the lives of people today and to find a cure for tomorrow alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer Scotland - Alzheimer Scotland provides information and support to people with dementia, their carers and families in Scotland. We provide a national dementia helpline, a network of dementia advisors, dementia nurses, home support, support groups and a range of other services throughout Scotland.  We are working to make sure no one goes through dementia on their own www.alzscot.org
• Tesco Charity of the Year partnership - Since 1988, Tesco has chosen a different charity every year to be the focus for staff fundraising.  The Tesco Charity Trust then tops up staff fundraising by 20%, up to a maximum top up of £500,000. www.tesco.com