Actress Carey Mulligan to put spotlight on dementia as new Ambassador

Carey attended a special event in north London being held to mark the beginning of the charity's Dementia Awareness Week™ (20 - 26 May).

Carey joined people with dementia and their carers at the 'Rest-Bite' service in Kentish Town. The Bafta-winning star has chosen to support Alzheimer's Society as her grandmother Margaret, known as Nans, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2004.

Speaking at the event, Alzheimer's Society Ambassador, Carey said:

'I am committed to helping the Alzheimer's Society in any way I can.  My family and I rely on the help of organisations like Alzheimer's Society to help us understand the disease and guide us in the care of my grandmother. It's been a privilege to meet so many people with dementia.'

Carey's appearance came as Alzheimer's Society published new statistics which found that 44 per cent of people currently know or used to know someone with dementia. It also found that the majority of people (61%) are worried about either themselves or someone they know developing dementia in later life. Yet despite their fears less than a fifth (16%) of people want to know more about the condition, with 18-24 year olds the most keen to learn more (25%) in comparison to only 15 per cent of over 55 year olds.

Carey said:

'I hope to do all I can to help defeat dementia and that's why I wanted to get involved in Dementia Awareness Week™. By speaking about my grandmother's dementia I hope to shine a light on the condition. This Dementia Awareness Week™ we are asking people to 'remember the person' by looking beyond someone's diagnosis of dementia and engaging with them.'

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

'We are extremely excited to have Carey's support. There are currently 800,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is set to rise to one million in ten years yet there is still much stigma surrounding the condition. By speaking out about her experiences Carey is helping us to reach new audiences and will hopefully get more people talking about the condition.'

The You Gov poll, commissioned by Alzheimer's Society and Saga Homecare, also found:

• People aged 55 or over are the most worried (66%) but dementia is even worrying over half of those aged between 18-24 (61%).
• Women are much more concerned about dementia than men with 70 per cent worrying about the condition in some way in comparison to 56 per cent of men.  

Dementia is a condition that slowly shuts down the brain and affects one in three people over the age of 65. Alzheimer's Society has produced five things you should know about dementia to help people learn that little bit more - key lessons include dementia is not a natural part of ageing and it is possible to live well with dementia. This can be downloaded at alzheimers.org.uk/remembertheperson

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Photos available - please contact the press office on 0207 423 3595 or email press@alzheimers.org.uk. Please note, Carey is not available for interview on this occasion

Notes to editors:

• All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 4276 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13 - 16 April 2012.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+)
• Dementia Awareness Week™  2012 is sponsored by Saga Homecare. Together Alzheimer's Society and Saga Homecare hope to maximise awareness and understanding of dementia across the UK
• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 800,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than ten 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