One in three (32 per cent) people are uncomfortable around people with dementia according to new research. Care Services Minister Phil Hope (pictured left) said today as he launched a new awareness campaign.
The new “Living Well” campaign employs real dementia sufferers who declare ‘I have dementia - I also have a life’ to educate the public about the condition and demonstrate the simple things everyone can do to help people live well with dementia.
The new MORI poll found that:
- a third (32 per cent) of those surveyed said ‘I would find it difficult to spend much time with someone who has dementia’;
- fifty-three per cent said they do not know enough about dementia to help someone who has it; and
- 81 per cent agreed that some people with dementia can still take part in normal activities.
In Yorkshire and the Humber dementia currently affects 55,947 people.
Phil Hope said: “Dementia doesn’t discriminate and neither should we. Our research shows that too often people fear dementia and this causes them to avoid people with the condition, making them feel isolated and stigmatised.
“We want to start to break down this stigma and show the simple things you can do to help people live well with dementia.
“Some people face great difficulties living with dementia - the ‘Living Well’ campaign is not meant to downplay their experiences. We want to show that, with the right support, people can live well with the condition and continue to do the things they enjoy for a number of years following diagnosis.”
Veronica Brown, Yorkshire and the Humber Department of Health Regional Dementia Lead said: “This campaign is about helping people to understand dementia and the practical ways we can all help people with dementia to live well.
“Dementia is such an important issue for our community and this campaign will encourage us to engage more with people living with dementia and help them to live a fuller life.”
Nicki Dyson, Alzheimer’s Society Area Manager for Yorkshire and the Humber said: “People with dementia tell us that, once diagnosed, others begin to act differently or avoid them altogether. This has a huge impact on their lives, but we know that with the right support people can continue to enjoy a good quality of life.
“Alzheimer's Society has been delighted to support this first step to tackling fear and misunderstanding that surrounds dementia. One in three people over 65 will develop dementia so it is vital we all understand how to better support those living with the condition.”
The campaign will appear on TV, radio, online and in print across England. It asks people to take a moment to find out more about dementia and provides five simple ways to help someone living with the condition.
- Respect and dignity – focus on what the person can do, not what they can’t.
- Be a good listener and be friendly – Support and accept the person, be patient.
- Do one little thing – cook a meal or run an errand, it all helps.
- Make time for everyone – partners, children and grandchildren will be affected. Could you do something to help one of them?
- Find out more - Understanding dementia makes living with it easier.
- National Clinical Director for Dementia, Prof Alistair Burns said; “Despite the fact that most people will be touched by dementia at some point in their lives, understanding of the condition, and how it is managed, is poor. We want to start to increase understanding, break down stigma and show some simple things you can do to help people live well.”
For more information, case studies or spokespeople, please contact COI News and PR on:
Paul Butler, paul.butler01@coi.gsi.gov.uk / 0113 346 6088