Figures show nearly of half people in Portsmouth fear getting dementia

Alzheimer’s Society is in the middle of a three-week campaign calling on people to unite against the illness.

The charity said results from a survey showed a lack of public understanding about dementia.

As part of the awareness campaign, they asked adults in Portsmouth and the surrounding area about dementia and found 42 per cent agreed it was the condition they most feared developing. The survey also found that 58 per cent of adults aged 16 to 75 would feel like their life was over if they were diagnosed.

Kim Davies, 51, cares for her husband Rob who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at the age of 51 in 2010.

The Southsea resident said: ‘I think when you’re dealing with dementia, you become a prisoner to the illness.

‘We’ve lost a lot of friends due to the dementia and because Rob’s younger, I think people struggle to understand how it’s affecting him.

‘We live every day as it comes. Nothing is a big deal to me any more; everything is kept low-key.’

To help with its latest campaign, the Alzheimer’s Society has enlisted celebrities like Jo Brand, James Cracknell and Robbie Savage to promote the message.

Lucie Debenham, the charity’s services manager for the Portsmouth area, said: ‘We’re determined to bring everyone’s attention to the massive injustice faced by people with dementia and their carers, with too many denied the support they need.

‘Alzheimer’s Society hears day-in, day-out about people with dementia and their carers struggling.

‘There are 2,247 people living with dementia in Portsmouth.

‘We urgently need people in Portsmouth to unite with us to improve care, offer help and understanding to those affected and find a cure.

‘Together, we can bring about change.’

A television advert has also been getting across the message of uniting.

Aired in April, it calls on people to overcome differences like age and race and join together to help fight dementia.

Visit alzheimers.org.uk.