As part of World Alzheimer’s Month associations are encouraging people to start talking about the disease, which is diagnosed around the world every three seconds.
World Alzheimer’s Day is taking place today and Jersey’s association is holding a celebration lunch tomorrow to mark the occasion.
Chief executive officer Sean Pontin said that hard work was still going on to combat misinformation around the disease and raise more awareness of dementia. He said: ‘JAA exists to provide advice, support and information to the whole community and since 2012 has seen an increase of over 235% in the amount of people seeking our support and accessing our activities.
‘It is terrifying to know that every three seconds someone else is diagnosed with dementia somewhere around the world. We are working hard to make Jersey a more dementia-aware island and combat misinformation.
‘We continue to work very closely with colleagues across the Island and from the Government of Jersey to make dementia a priority and hope that 2020 will see real progress towards a long-overdue Islandwide strategy.’
A campaign called ‘Lets Talk About Dementia’ has been launched worldwide this month as part of World Alzheimer’s Month, to promote greater understanding of the subject and help break the stigma surrounding it.
Jersey Alzheimer’s Association will welcome clients, carers, supporters and colleagues to The Royal Yacht hotel tomorrow for the celebration lunch at which the JAA and Health and Community Service annual awards will also be presented.
Next month, carers of family members with dementia are being invited to Le Masurier’s Recharger Day, which is held in conjunction with the association. Now in its third year, the event offers carers a relaxing day with the opportunity to meet other’s in the same situation.
The recharger day takes place at The Royal Yacht on 26 October and includes a pop-up spa, laughing yoga and a two-course lunch.
For more information email bev@jerseyalzheimers.com.
