Alzheimer Scotland commends Pratchett’s decision to keep dementia in the public eye

Alzheimer Scotland welcomed Terry Pratchett’s passion and support for the cause of dementia. The much-loved author’s donation of £500,000 towards Alzheimer’s research in the UK has been driven by his own experience of early-onset dementia.

Jim Jackson, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said, “publicly, Pratchett called his Alzheimer’s diagnosis ‘an embuggerance’, but his private experience has been one of fear, dismay and abandonment. There are 58,000 people in Scotland going through the same daily struggle with dementia. Pratchett has helped to pull back the veil on what is often a hidden, stigmatised illness.

Dementia levels are set to rise by 75% in Scotland over the next 25 years. It is essential that we support those with dementia and those who care for them, as well as ensuring significant research funding in the years ahead.”