News Date: Thursday 1st July 2004
Tim Telling Children about Dementia
Local MP, Tim Loughton today expressed support for people with dementia and their carers in East Worthing and Shoreham, in the run up to Alzheimer's Awareness Week.
The theme of the week, which will run from 4 ? 10 July 2004 is children, younger people and dementia. The Alzheimer?s Society, which is celebrating its 245th anniversary this year, will be using the week to help children and younger people understand what dementia is, and how it might affect someone they know. The Society has produced new information for children including a video of children talking about dementia in the family, which will be shown in schools.
Tim Loughton said:
'I am very happy to be supporting the Alzheimer?s Society in Alzheimer?s Awareness Week. We all need to understand that dementia is caused by a disease of the brain and is not a normal part of ageing. We must help everyone - whatever their age, cope with the impact of dementia.
More than 1,150 people in East Worthing and Shoreham have dementia and more than three times that number are affected by the consequences.
Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer;s Society, said, ?I?m very pleased that Tim Loughton MP is supporting Alzheimer?s Awareness Week. 25 years ago the odds were stacked against the Society?s survival were almost overwhelming. Today we have achieved more than our founders believed possible. With so many people behind us, we will be able to continue our vital work to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers'
ENDS
To find out more about Alzheimer?s Awareness Week and what is happening in your area, please call: 020 7306 0813 or 020 7306 0839
