| The stigma surrounding dementia makes life much harder for many patients, research suggests. | The stigma surrounding dementia makes life much harder for many patients, research suggests. |
| A survey by the Alzheimer's Society found patients reported neighbours crossing the street to avoid them. | A survey by the Alzheimer's Society found patients reported neighbours crossing the street to avoid them. |
| Many also found getting a diagnosis was a protracted and, at times, distressing experience, with doctors sometimes dismissing symptoms as just old age. | Many also found getting a diagnosis was a protracted and, at times, distressing experience, with doctors sometimes dismissing symptoms as just old age. |
| The charity carried out in-depth interviews with 62 people in the UK, of whom 32 had dementia. | The charity carried out in-depth interviews with 62 people in the UK, of whom 32 had dementia. |
| It also carried out a survey of more than 4,000 members of the general public, which found that half thought stigma was a serious problem for people with dementia. | It also carried out a survey of more than 4,000 members of the general public, which found that half thought stigma was a serious problem for people with dementia. |
| The report blamed "dismissive, unhelpful or uninformed responses from GPs and doctors working in specialist services" for compounding the problems faced by patients seeking a diagnosis. | The report blamed "dismissive, unhelpful or uninformed responses from GPs and doctors working in specialist services" for compounding the problems faced by patients seeking a diagnosis. |
| It concluded that even when a diagnosis was confirmed people were often left with little or no support, information or advice. | It concluded that even when a diagnosis was confirmed people were often left with little or no support, information or advice. |
| Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Today's report exposes the desperate need to increase awareness among the public and professionals. | Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Today's report exposes the desperate need to increase awareness among the public and professionals. |
| "There must be investment in national awareness campaigns. Government, charities, services and employers need to work together to make this a reality." | "There must be investment in national awareness campaigns. Government, charities, services and employers need to work together to make this a reality." |
| Pratchett call | Pratchett call |
| Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: "What this report lays bare should be a national scandal. | Dr Andrew McCulloch, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: "What this report lays bare should be a national scandal. |
| It's a strange life when you 'come out' - people get embarrassed, lower their voices and get lost for words Terry Pratchett | It's a strange life when you 'come out' - people get embarrassed, lower their voices and get lost for words Terry Pratchett |
| "Nobody in a civilised society should have the burden of stigma added to the distress of coping with dementia, and everyone with the condition - not just the minority - should expect a quick diagnosis and a high level of support from health professionals." | "Nobody in a civilised society should have the burden of stigma added to the distress of coping with dementia, and everyone with the condition - not just the minority - should expect a quick diagnosis and a high level of support from health professionals." |
| Best-selling novelist Terry Pratchett was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease last December. | Best-selling novelist Terry Pratchett was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease last December. |
| He said: "It's a strange life when you 'come out' - people get embarrassed, lower their voices and get lost for words. | He said: "It's a strange life when you 'come out' - people get embarrassed, lower their voices and get lost for words. |
| "When Milton's Satan stood in the pit of hell and raged at heaven, he was merely a trifle miffed compared to how I felt on the day I was diagnosed. | "When Milton's Satan stood in the pit of hell and raged at heaven, he was merely a trifle miffed compared to how I felt on the day I was diagnosed. |
| "What is needed is will and determination. The first step is to talk openly about dementia because it's a fact, well enshrined in folklore that if we are to kill the demon then first we have to say its name." | "What is needed is will and determination. The first step is to talk openly about dementia because it's a fact, well enshrined in folklore that if we are to kill the demon then first we have to say its name." |
| Figures show that one in three people over the age of 65 will die with a form of dementia. | Figures show that one in three people over the age of 65 will die with a form of dementia. |
| A total of 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, half of whom have Alzheimer's disease. | A total of 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, half of whom have Alzheimer's disease. |
| Almost a million people are expected to be living with dementia in the next 20 years, rising to 1.7 million by 2051 due to an increasingly ageing population. | Almost a million people are expected to be living with dementia in the next 20 years, rising to 1.7 million by 2051 due to an increasingly ageing population. |
| The Department of Health said the problems would be addressed in a National Dementia Strategy to be published in November. | The Department of Health said the problems would be addressed in a National Dementia Strategy to be published in November. |
"There is no doubt also that we need better diagnostic services, and more effective peer support networks."
/> | "There is no doubt also that we need better diagnostic services, and more effective peer support networks." |
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