This September is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, with World Alzheimer’s day falling on 21st September.
Alzheimer’s disease is a physical disease that damages the brain and is the most common type of dementia in the UK and there is thought to be more than 46,000 people in Wales living with dementia.
Alzheimer’s disease can affect everyone differently, some of the common early symptoms include:
- memory problems
- thinking and reasoning difficulties
- language problems
- changes to how they see and hear things and changes in mood
This September the Alzheimer’s Society is raising awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and encouraging people to learn about how Alzheimer’s can affect the lives of those living with it and their families.
Speaking on Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, Chris Evans MP said:
‘I know that this is a disease that comes very close to home for many of my constituents, who are often contacting me about the need to improve diagnosis services for dementia.
Alzheimer’s can have heart breaking effects on the people living with the disease and their family members. This is why it is vital this September to raise awareness of this disease and the importance of ensuring those who are suffering receive a timely, accurate and high- quality diagnosis.’
In Wales, there are a number of services that support those living with Alzheimer’s, from stimulating sessions for people living with dementia, choirs, support group for informal carers to socialise, and Health and Wellbeing Courses. To find services local to you, just put in your postcode on the Alzheimer’s Society website here: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you
This September, the Alzheimer’s Society is also holding a Memory Walk in Cardiff to raise money to support people living with Dementia. The event is on 17th September, you find more information here https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/memory-walk/find-a-walk/cardiff
