Dementia denial: Two out of
three older people are worried… but most don’t want to know more
·
'We need to stop worrying and start understanding dementia,' says
charity spokesman
·
Carers are 'amazing source of inspiration' says actress Carey Mulligan,
whose grandmother has Alzheimer's
oDementia holds a real fear for
two out of every three older people, but the majority don’t want to learn more
about the disease, a survey has found.
It
reveals that 66 per cent of people aged 55 and over have worries about brain
diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
It is
this age group that has the biggest fears, as they are of an age where it
becomes a very real threat.
And 61
per cent of those aged between 18 to 24 - the age group whose parents are
likely to be affected - also express worries.
More
women than men are anxious about dementia, 70 per cent compared with 56 per
cent of men.
However, fewer
than one in six older people want to learn more about the disease, says a joint
poll commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society and Saga Homecare published today.
Oscar-nominated
actress, Carey Mulligan, has become an 'ambassador' for the Alzheimer's Society
to promote better awareness and less fear of the condition.
Her
grandmother was diagnosed with the disease eight years ago and the 26-year-old
said while her 'Nans' no longer recognises her she still takes delight in
music.
She added
that although her grandmother's decline had been painful for the whole family,
the support provided by her care home was 'inspirational' and showed people
with dementia can be helped to live well.
Ms
Mulligan, who starred in An Education, told the BBC the key was 'remembering
that those with dementia are still people and they still have stories and they
still have character and they're all individuals and they're all unique. And
they just need to be interacted with on a human level.'
Around
800,000 Britons have a form of dementia, with symptoms affecting memory,
thinking, communicating and doing everyday tasks.
Alzheimer’s
is the most common cause of dementia, while other forms include vascular
dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies. In just 15 years a million people will
be living with the condition.
A YouGov
survey - released to mark Dementia Awareness Week - found that overall 63 per
cent of people say they are worried about dementia in some way.
Most are
worried about either themselves or someone they know developing dementia in
later life, with just one in four people saying they are unconcerned.
The
survey of more than 4,000 British adults found one in five believe there is
nothing you can do to reduce your risk of developing dementia.
And fewer
than a fifth realise that it is a terminal illness. The Mail has consistently
highlighted the issue in its Dignity for the Elderly campaign.
Jeremy
Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society charity, said people must
overcome their fears and learn that early diagnosis can be critical for slowing
down symptoms.
He said
‘Dementia is the biggest challenge facing the UK today so it’s not surprising
that people are so worried. There is currently no cure and people aren’t
getting the care they deserve. However we know that with the right support
people can live well with the condition for a number of years.
‘We need
to stop worrying and start understanding dementia. Whether you have five
minutes or half an hour please take some time to learn about dementia.
‘Only
through knowing more will we ensure the people with the condition are treated
with the dignity and respect they deserve.’
Caroline
Woodhead, 55, from North Yorkshire, has Alzheimer’s disease and is one of the
three faces of Dementia Awareness Week.
She said
‘Before I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease I used to worry about it too.
Now I have it. I’d rather I didn’t have it but I don’t dwell on it.
‘People
don’t realise it’s possible to live well with dementia. I was diagnosed at the
age of 52 and I still enjoy life - I can sing, drive, go for walks and use a
computer.
‘I would
encourage everyone to find out more about the condition. By understanding
dementia better, we can break down these barriers and show that life does not
end with a diagnosis.’
Dementia
Awareness Week is being held in partnership with Saga Homecare. Saga Homecare,
which is part of the larger Saga group, provides care at home for people who
want to maintain their independence and stay in their own homes.
Ros
Altmann, Director-General of Saga, said: ‘As the largest provider of care in
the UK, Saga has extensive first-hand experience of providing ongoing support
to people with dementia and their families.
‘In
April, the Prime Minister committed to improving the lives of those suffering
with dementia and their carers in his Dementia Challenge. We have been working
with and advising the Government on this policy and the importance of
preventative and early treatments.
‘It is clear
that many people are worried about this condition but they shouldn’t think
there is nothing they can do.
‘We want
to help people understand dementia better so that they can get preparations in
place for them and their family.
‘There
are preventative steps we can all take such as leading a healthy lifestyle,
eating the right foods and keeping our minds and bodies active but it is also
vital to spot the early signs of dementia to seek diagnosis and treatments.
‘We’re
committed to helping the lives of people living with dementia and their
families - from providing specialist care to people in their homes to helping
people take a well deserved and much needed holiday’ she added.
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I always say that we may have this illness, but we are all so different.
This is my own daily problems, but I would gladly share anyone elses, if they send them in,