London: The Alzheimers Society today launched a national campaign to reduce peoples risk of dementia as the count down to Dementia Awareness Week begins.
Running from the 6 12 July 2008, Dementia Awareness Week will challenge people to reduce their risk of developing dementia, a condition that affects one in three people who live past the age of 65. Already over 700 000 people in the UK have dementia and millions more families are affected. This number is set to increase dramatically to over a million people by 2025.
Alzheimers Society Ambassadors, Fiona Phillips, Russell Grant, Lynda Bellingham and Ruth Langsford are among the high profile supporters of the campaign.
Alzheimers Society is launching a revised edition of Be head strong, a free advice booklet showing how people can reduce their risk of dementia. It contains nutritional information on what types of foods to eat, exercise activities and information to help dispel existing myths about dementia.
The booklet urges people to follow a healthy diet, get active and not smoke. People are also being encouraged to visit their GP and get their blood pressure and cholesterol checked.
A recent survey by Alzheimers Society found that dementia is the condition we fear most in old age yet many people do not realise there are things we can do to reduce our risk.
Background information
· Copies of the Alzheimers Awareness Week brochure Be Headstrong. Challenge your risk of Dementia are available on request.
· www.challengedementia.org.ukwill be launched on 24 April 2008 containing information to reduce your risk and
· 1 in 3 older people will end their lives with a form of dementia
· 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimers disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051. 1 in 6 people over 80 have dementia.
· Alzheimers Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and those who care for them. Alzheimers Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
· As a charity, Alzheimers Society depends on the generosity of the public to help it care, research and campaign for people with dementia. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visitingwww.alzheimers.org.uk
· Alzheimers Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336 or visit www.alzheimers.org.uk