New research has revealed a lack of understanding around dementia and the impact it has on society. A campaign called ‘Let’s Talk Dementia’ has been launched to raise awareness and at the same time, offer support.
In a survey with 1,000 people, although 43% of those questioned said they know someone with dementia, 50% are unaware that it can be treated. 47% do not know the correct cause of dementia (damage to nerve cells to the brain), with some wrongly thinking it is a natural part of ageing (15%) or is hereditary (11%).
The research by Luye Pharma Ltd is part of its ‘Let’s talk Dementia’ campaign. They hope to raise awareness of dementia and offer help and support for lives affected.
People are also unsure about the burden of care that dementia can cause. 87% of those questioned do not know that one in three people in the UK will care for someone with dementia at some point in their life. Six out of 10 incorrectly think that the NHS or a charity will pay for dementia care . 92% don’t know that dementia costs the UK £42 billion annually.
People Worry about Dementia
GP and media medic Dr Rosemary Leonard, who is working with the Let’s talk Dementia campaign, said: “As a GP, I see a lot of people with dementia, and their carers, and this has increased significantly since Covid. People worry about dementia and automatically fear the worst, which is why we need to start talking about it more and provide help and support for those going through it.
“One of the most important things is to come forward early. We can treat and manage dementia and the earlier we start then better the outcome can be. Treatment also doesn’t just mean medical interventions – there are many lifestyle initiatives that can help. The Let’s talk Dementia campaign offers advice and tools that can make a really positive difference for those living with dementia.”
There are currently more than 944,000 people in the UK who have dementia and 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 have the condition. It is estimated that up to 1.7 million people will have dementia in England and Wales by 2040.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive disorders affecting the brain. There are different types of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common. Signs and symptoms include memory problems, impaired cognitive ability (for example struggling with decision making and reasoning), communication problems and loss of interest in activities, as well as mood swings, anxiety and depression.
Although the majority of the people in the research are familiar with the common early signs of dementia, such as memory problems (78%) and struggling with decision making (69%), some wrongly believe that headaches (19%), fatigue (27%) and joint/mobility problems (13%) are all symptoms.
Let’s Talk Dementia
Dr Rosemary added: “Although memory problems are the main symptom of dementia, having memory issues doesn’t necessarily mean you have dementia. There are other conditions that can cause memory difficulties. This is why it’s so important to come forward early so we can establish what is causing the problem and, if it is dementia, offer treatment and support.”
The research showed that people are concerned about access to dementia information. 57% think there is not enough information and 22% are unsure.
To find out more about dementia, go to www.letstalkdementia.co.uk
