Announcing Dementia Deserves Better Conference, 4th June 2007

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To: News/Health/Community Editors

Alzheimer Scotland will launch Dementia Awareness Week 2007 by hosting its annual national conference which this year focuses on making dementia a national priority. ‘Dementia Deserves Better – Make Dementia a Priority in the 21st Century’ will take place on Monday 4th June at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

With the number of people with dementia set to increase from 1 in 90 today, to 1 in 50 by 2031, the conference will focus on the twin challenges of facing this rapid increase and the need for improved services throughout the course of the illness.

Alzheimer Scotland’s Policy Director Kate Fearnley says, “This conference aims to change attitudes and practise, both in service provision and in the world at large. It will challenge participants to think about dementia services in new ways, and look at how people need to be helped to reduce their risk of developing dementia in the future.”

Delegates will be addressed by key note speakers including Glenn Rees, National Executive Director of Alzheimer's Australia, who has successfully placed dementia at the top of the health agenda in Australia, and Christopher Manthorp, Guardian columnist and Project Director for Reprovision who will explain a 21st Century approach to dementia services.

Comedian Craig Hill whose mother had Alzheimer’s disease says, “Caring for my mother means I know first hand the importance of the right support and how hard it can be to get it. It’s vital that we in Scotland give dementia the priority it deserves at every level, from the politicians to the people who provide services. If you care about dementia, personally or professionally, you should attend this conference.”

The conference will be useful for:
- Planners and policy makers
- Service commissioners
- Service providers in the public, voluntary and private sectors
- Service managers, practitioners and trainers
- Health promotion and health improvement professionals
- People with dementia and carers of people with dementia
- Old age psychiatrists and general practitioners

For full programme details and a booking form contact Dorothy Keith on 0131 243 1455, email dkeith@alzscot.org or visit http://www.alzscot.org/pages/info/dementiaconference2007.htm

Please give our Freephone 24hr Dementia Helpline telephone number: 0808 808 3000 and our website address: www.alzscot.org at the end of articles.

Contact details:

Kirsty Jardine, PR & Marketing Manager, tel 0131 243 1453, mob 07904 624 696, kjardine@alzscot.org
Kate Fearnley, Policy Director, tel 0131 243 1453, mob 07791 028317, kfearnley@alzscot.org

Note for Editor:

Dementia affects approximately 58,000 people in Scotland.
Alzheimer’s disease is the main form of dementia. The second most common is vascular dementia. As yet there is no cure.

Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s foremost voluntary organisation working for people with dementia and their carers. It:

• speaks out for the rights and concerns of people with dementia and their carers;
• operates services on over 60 sites throughout Scotland providing practical services such as day, evening and weekend centres, home care and befriending and carers' support services;
• provides the 24 hour national freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000);
• provides the website www.alzscot.org;
• supports a network of over 40 carers' support groups;
• provides information to carers, professionals and people with dementia;
• publishes leaflets, booklets, reports and a quarterly newsletter keeping carers and professionals up-to-date
• has a research programme.