What's on your mind this Christmas?

06 December 2005
Immediate Release
To: News/Health/Community Editors

Alzheimer Scotland is urging people with dementia and their carers to contact the 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline this Christmas by calling 0808 808 3000.

Christmas is synonymous with memories; memories of eating roast turkey with your family, of attending carol concerts and pantomimes, of gathering around the television for the Queen’s speech. It is a time when we take the chance to reminisce about our past and share it with future generations.

There are 63,000 people in Scotland who will struggle to share their memories this Christmas because dementia is robbing them of their verbal and cognitive ability to remember the past.

Dementia is a devastating illness that gradually destroys people’s brain cells. The first symptoms are memory loss and confusion, but in time the person with dementia will begin to lose their ability to undertake activities such as eating, dressing and maintaining personal hygiene.

Alzheimer’s disease can also shatter the lives of those who care for people with dementia. The burden for these people is physical, mental and emotional. They have to stand by and watch as the person they once knew slowly slips away from them.

Alzheimer Scotland offers help to people with dementia and their carers through its Freephone 24-hour Dementia Helpline 0808 808 3000. The Helpline is staffed by trained volunteers, most of whom have had personal experiences of dementia. The helpline is open 365 days of the year and is the only dementia helpline that will remain available through the entire holiday season.

Helpline Manager Maruska Greenwood, says “Christmas can be a difficult time for people with dementia and their carers. Dementia can alter the dynamics, or place strain on family relationships. At this time of year, when we are supposed to be enjoying our families people start to feel at the end of their tether. I would encourage anyone who is finding caring difficult to call the Helpline where they will find information or emotional support that can help them through a potentially difficult time.”

Alzheimer Scotland exists to help people with dementia and their carers. With services on over 60 sites in Scotland including home support, day care and carer support groups we can provide practical support that improves the lives of people living with dementia.

Interviews can be arranged with people with dementia and their carers in your local area.

Contact details:
Sarah Bromley, PR & Marketing Manager, tel 0131 243 1453, mob 07966 458 869, sbromley@alzscot.org
Jim Jackson, Chief Executive, tel 0131 243 1453, mob 07747 025 041, jjackson@alzscot.org

Notes for Editor:
Dementia affects approximately 63,000 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.