Warwickshire taskforce supports World Alzheimer's Day
A new taskforce, set up by the County Council to tackle dementia in Warwickshire, is backing the World Alzheimer's Day (21 September) campaign 'Diagnosing dementia : see it sooner'.
Warwickshire’s Living Well with Dementia task group is echoing the national message and encouraging people to seek support earlier.
Although there are several different types of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common and best known causes of the degenerative brain syndrome that affects memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion. In Warwickshire there are an estimated 6,800 people with dementia and the figure is expected to rise to 11,000 by 2025.
Cllr Jose Compton, Dementia Champion for Living Well with Dementia in Warwickshire and Chair of the task group, said: "The early signs of dementia such as memory loss are often put down to old age and all too often diagnosis comes too late. If the problem is detected earlier there is so much more that we can do to help overcome problems and improve quality of life for people with dementia and their carers."
The Warwickshire Living Well with Dementia Task Group was set up in July 2009 and its key objectives are to
Ensure better knowledge & understanding of dementia & remove stigma
Ensure early diagnosis, give people information as early as possible, start support & treatment for people with dementia & their family & carers as early as possible
Develop services to better meet changing needs.
Jose added: "Stigma is a huge hurdle that we all need to overcome. Our message is that it is possible to live well with the condition and it is everybody’s responsibility to have a better understanding."
Warwickshire County Council’s Adult, Health and Community Services have been recognised in their work in addressing dementia. In June 2009, Warwickshire was selected by the Department of Health to take part in a national pilot to support people affected the condition by providing a dementia adviser service in partnership with the local Alzheimer’s Society and Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership trust. In July, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet agreed to the establishment of a specialist dementia home care service.
The Alzheimer’s Society provides a number of other services through out the county that support both people with dementia and their carers. As part of the society’s information department the branch provides an extensive range of literature, videos/ dvds and assistive technology equipment for the general public to access, based at the dementia resource centre in Leamington Spa. In support of World Alzheimer’s Day the National Alzheimer’s Society will be running a number of memory walks around the country.
If you or a member of your family are living with dementia or have any concerns about memory problems and would like further information and support please contact the Alzheimer’s Society Warwickshire Branch on 01926 888899.