Government launches dementia awareness campaign

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow has launched a government campaign to raise awareness about the onset of dementia.

The campaign, which focuses on the early warning signs and symptoms of dementia, is to target the family and friends of people at risk of developing the disease so that they can encourage the individual to make an appointment with their doctor. It aims to challenge misconceptions about dementia, which affects over 750,000 people in the UK.

The campaign is to spread across all media forms, with television, radio and print adverts to be trialed in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber before the campaign, if successful, is then rolled out across the rest of the UK.

There is no cure for dementia but history has shown that early diagnosis, coupled with the right treatment and support, can help to slow the progression of the condition and enable people to live fuller lives.

Currently only around 40% of people in England living with dementia receive a formal diagnosis, meaning that nearly 400,000 people are not receiving the support they need from the NHS.

The campaign is to spread across all media forms, with television, radio and print adverts to be trialed in the North West, Yorkshire and the Humber before the campaign, if successful, is then rolled out across the rest of the UK. It follows the previous national campaign ‘I have dementia – I also have a life’, which was successfully run last year.

Speaking after the announcement, National Clinical Director for Dementia Professor Alistair Burns said: “Getting a timely diagnosis is vital and we know that those who do receive one don’t regret it. On the contrary, knowing about their condition helps them gain control and allows them and their families to seek the services and support they need.

“Timely early diagnoses and supportive interventions allow people to plan for the future while they still can. They have been shown to reduce care home admissions and improve the quality, not only of the life of the person with dementia, but also their family, carers and friends.”

First Response Training can provide a Dementia Awareness training course, which is 3 hours in duration. Perry Leeks, Managing Director at First Response, says: “Our Dementia Awareness training course is informative, helps to raise awareness of the causes and effects of dementia, and has links to the Common Induction Standards and the Qualifications aand Credits Framework.

“After taking part in the course, care workers will have an understanding of dementia which will enable them to support persons living with the disease to lead fulfilling lives. The 3-hour course provides a definition of dementia and covers the causes, signs and symptoms of dementia as well as issues relating to daily care, communication and promoting independence.

"We can offer external accreditation for this 3-hour coruse and can also offer a more in-depth 6 hour version, please call us on free phone 0800 310 2300 to find out more information.”