'Worried about your memory?' campaign

Two out of three people with dementia never receive a diagnosis. For those that do, it takes an average of three years from first noticing symptoms to receive a diagnosis; for some it takes more than ten years. As a consequence, many people with dementia fail to receive early and appropriate care and support.

Although dementia is the most feared condition of people over the age of 55, there is still an acute lack of understanding about its symptoms amongst the public. People often delay seeking help from professionals as they assume their symptoms are just a sign of ‘getting old’. They may feel that nothing can be done to help relieve their symptoms, or they may be scared to admit there is a problem.
 

The importance of early intervention

 Getting a timely diagnosis of dementia is vital. Many people fear that a dementia diagnosis is the end of their life. However, people with dementia surveyed in a recent report commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society told us that they did not regret being told about their diagnosis. On the contrary, knowing about their condition enabled them to find out more and seek support from others in the same position – a vital support network for many people managing and living with dementia.

 

For all people with dementia, having a diagnosis means they can access both health and social care services. People without a diagnosis still have to deal with the symptoms of their condition – but they have to do so without the support and information that can make that process easier.

 

The 'Worried about your memory?' campaign

 

Every GP practice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has been sent copies of the 'Worried about your memory?' leaflets to display in their waiting rooms. The leaflets highlight the difference between mild memory loss, that have many different causes, and more serious behaviour that could be the sign of an underlying medical condition like dementia. The leaflets advise seeking help when memory lapses become more frequent, or have a serious impact on a person’s life.

 

GP’s have also been sent a resource pack, including an information CD-Rom that highlights the key role they and their teams play in an individual’s treatment of dementia. GPs and other primary care services are the first and best point of call for people who are worried about their memory, or that of someone they know. 

 

In a pilot of the campaign in 4,000 GP practices in 2007, more than three quarters of the GPs who took part felt the campaign made people speak to them sooner about their memory worries. Since the launch of the 2008 campaign, thousands of people have already contacted the Alzheimer’s Society or their doctor to find out more. 

 

The campaign has started to break down some of the barriers that prevent people approaching their doctor about their memory problems. But this campaign is just the tip of the iceberg if every person with dementia is to receive the swift and timely diagnosis they deserve.

 

To find out more about the 'Worried about your memory?' campaign, visit: alzheimers.org.uk/memoryworry. To request further copies of the materials free of charge, including leaflets for your practice or a copy of the dementia CD-Rom, please email: waym@alzheimers.org.uk. 

 

For more information about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, visit: www.alzheimers.org.uk.