Luciana Berger with Arlene Philips, pledging their support for Dementia Friends
I am supporting Dementia Awareness Week from May 18-24 for 4,688 very good reasons.
That is the number of people estimated to be living with dementia in Liverpool today.
I pledged last year to help make Wavertree a friendlier place for people with dementia by helping to raise awareness and promote the little things we can all do in our daily lives to make a difference.
One in three people over the age of 65 will develop dementia, and as a local MP, all too often I see first-hand the devastating impact the condition has – not only the person with dementia but their family, friends and carers too.
Alzheimer’s Society, the charity behind Dementia Awareness Week, is using the week to encourage people to open up and talk – to their doctor, their family, or Alzheimer’s Society.
Across the UK, on average less than half of the people with dementia have received a diagnosis. People may feel scared, confused or even ashamed about seeking help. But the sooner people know what they’re dealing with, the sooner people can get on with their life and feel in control.
Look out for the host of activities in and around Liverpool that will be taking place this week.
From becoming a Dementia Friend as I recently did, to spreading the word on social media, together we can tackle this condition.
There are lots of small ways that we can all make a big difference for people in our local community this Dementia Awareness Week.
You can call Alzheimer’s Society’s National Dementia Helpline for confidential advice, information and support on 0300 222 11 22. You can also email enquiries to helpline@alzheimers.org.uk