The subject of dementia is much in the news recently. As our population ages with life expectancy rising, illnesses of the elderly become more prevalent.
Dementia, however, is not simply the preserve of the elderly. Young onset dementia has been known about for years, but it is frequently misdiagnosed. This is partly to do with its rarity, but also partly to do with the fact that it is so hard to diagnose it at an early stage. Progress is being made in this area – researchers are now exploring ways of an early diagnosis involving a relatively simple blood test and it is expected that in just a few years this will become a recognised diagnostic tool. This in itself is incredibly important because it is broadly recognised that any drugs that may prevent dementia are administered too late to make any effect, simply because the onset of dementia is too well established. So much of what we do not is about managing the condition.
The Alzheimer's Society organises an initiative ‘Friends of Dementia’, seeking to engage the community in recognising people with dementia. It can be incredibly frustrating waiting for someone to fumble through their purse at a checkout looking for the right money, but if that person suffers from dementia, suddenly finding yourself in a public place, unable to recognise something as supposedly familiar as money, is not just embarrassing; it is terrifying.
IN the last few weeks, I have met with the Alzheimer's Society to discuss dementia awareness, and I have met with campaigners raising the issue young onset dementia. Last week, I visited a local initiative that I have visited a number of times before. Among Friends Kidderminster is part of the Friends of the Elderly charity. They seek to offer a safe and invigorating sanctuary for those suffering with dementia where they can enjoy a happy time being looked after by specialist carers who understand the needs and frustrations of dementia sufferers.
There is no cure for dementia, so we must make the world a safe place for those who suffer with it. The author Terry Pratchet is perhaps the most high profile sufferer recently and he has done much to raise awareness. In his special way, he summed up growing old: “an old person is just a young person in an old body wondering what on earth happened.”