Survey reveals lack of understanding about how dementia affects people in Scotland

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
17 JANUARY 2006
To: News/Health/Community Editors

Awareness of dementia amongst the Scottish public must be increased if they are to fully understand the illness and the type of help and support available, reveals Alzheimer Scotland’s biennial public opinion survey.

83% of respondents had a sound knowledge of dementia being an illness that describes a physical disease of the brain, and 80% correctly identified Alzheimer’s as being the most common form of dementia.

However, 33% of respondents thought that dementia was a normal part of growing old, suggesting that dementia is still stigmatised as being a ‘old person’s’ disease and that nothing can be done about it.

The survey also revealed that 36% of people mistakingly believe that dementia runs in families. In fact only a very small number of families are affected by the hereditary form of dementia called familial Alzheimer’s disease, and it usually affects younger people (under the age of 65) rather than older people. However, it is important to remember that most cases of early onset Alzheimer’s disease are not inherited.

Sarah Bromley, PR & Marketing Manager for Alzheimer Scotland says, ‘Whilst it is positive to hear that such a high percentage of people are aware of dementia, it is clear that more needs to be done to increase understanding of the illness and remove the negative connotations surrounding it. Dementia has serious consequences, not only for the people with the illness but also for those who are caring for them. Whilst there is no cure, there are drug treatments and practical support, which can help people cope.”

The incidence of dementia in Scotland is also seriously underestimated with only 12% of respondents knowing that there are around 63,000 people with dementia in Scotland. A large proportion of people asked (44%) believed there were fewer than 30,000 people affected.

Sarah continues, “Dementia affects 63,000 people in Scotland and this is predicted to rise to 84,300 by 2025. The public opinion survey indicates that although we are making positive steps to increase awareness of dementia, much more need to be done to place the illness higher on the public agenda. 2006 marks the 100th anniversary of Alois Alzheimer recording the symptoms and changes in the brain that we now call Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer Scotland will be using this year to continue to campaign for improved rights and services for people with dementia and their carers.”

Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland’s leading dementia charity providing care, understanding and support to people with dementia and their carers. It provides practical support on over 60 sites throughout Scotland as well as staffing a 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline 0808 808 3000.

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:

Sarah Bromley, PR & Marketing Manager, tel 0131 243 1453, mob 07966 458 869, sbromley@alzscot.org
Rachel Guy, Fundraising & PR Director, 0131 243 1453, rguy@alzscot.org
Jim Jackson, Chief Executive, tel 0131 243 1453, mob 07747 025 041, jjackson@alzscot.org

Further information:

Alzheimer Scotland’s bi-annual public opinion survey interviewed 1,040 adults (aged 16 and over) during December 2005 by the marketing company MRUK. One interview was conducted per household and quotas were imposed on age and gender to reflect the population.

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.