Dementia Action Week (21 to 27 May)
22 May 2018
Supporting those affect by Dementia
Dementia Awareness Week is Alzheimer’s Society’s annual awareness raising campaign. This year the Week is changing to Dementia Action Week as there is now a determination to create the change in communities that people with dementia want to see.
Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain. There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. Some people may have a combination of types of dementia. Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.
Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age. The Alzheimer’s Society (2015) reports there are over 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. Of these, approximately, 42,000 are people with young onset dementia, which affects people under the age of 65. As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia.
There are lots of ways to be a part of Dementia Action Week, both in your local community and across the UK. As well as being there for loved ones the Alzheimer’s Society are encouraging people to find an event to attend, make a donation to fund support or become a Dementia Friend
Dementia Friends is one of the University's Social Responsibility flagship programmes. This is because dementia is a priority area for the Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences and Manchester as a city is also well-placed to take leadership on this issue given its participation in the World Health Organisation’s age friendly city programme.
If you have a family member, friend or colleague who has been diagnosed with a type of dementia there are a number of resources and information available. The University provides a range of policies and services to support parents and carers. These allow for flexibility and time off when you need it most and support from colleagues in a similar position through our staff network groups.
More information