Bid to help Rotherham dementia sufferers

NHS ROTHERHAM is supporting a new national campaign to support people living with dementia.

The Living Well campaign aims to raise awareness about the condition and the help that is available for families affected by dementia.

It will also offer simple advice for dementia patients to follow to help to stop them from feeling afraid or isolated.

A spokesman for NHS Rotherham, said: “Dementia is not a single disease. It is a group of symptoms caused by specific brain disorders.

The most common cause is Alzheimer's disease, but dementia can also be the result of a stroke or mini-strokes.

“Dementia can happen to anyone and there is currently no cure but the more support you can give someone, the better life with dementia can be, especially in the early years.

"If you are worried that you or a member of your family has the first signs of dementia, you should go and see your GP.  

“There can be a variety of reasons for memory loss and behaviour changes, but if it is dementia it's better to get support early on.”

Rotherham Memory Service, funded by NHS Rotherham, opened in May 2008 and provides a single point of referral for the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of dementia.  

The service provides counselling and support for people with dementia and their carers as well as offering information and access to other support services.

Referral to the service is usually by GP after they have carried out some tests to make sure the symptoms are not being caused by some common physical conditions.

For more information on the Rotherham Memory Service contact your GP.

For information on the national Living Well campaign and to order a free information pack visit www.nhs.uk/dementia or call 0300 123 1915.