Rotherham's hidden Alzheimer's sufferers

According to estimates from the Alzheimer’s Society, just 1,718 people have been diagnosed with the condition.

This figure is up from 1,567 last year and the society is calling on the NHS to make sure the rate of diagnosis continues to increase so that patients receive the necessary help.

The society is also urging people to go to their GPs if they suspect they are experiencing symptoms.

Judith Gregory, area manager for Alzheimer’s Society in Yorkshire and Humber, said: “It’s encouraging to see an increase in the number people that are receiving a diagnosis in Yorkshire and the Humber, but over half of people that are living with dementia — almost 56 per cent — aren’t receiving the support, benefits and the treatments that are often available.

“The NHS has made a commitment to improving diagnosis rates so now it is time for that commitment to turn into action locally to help ensure people in Yorkshire and the Humber can live well with the condition.”

Over the last year, Alzheimer's Society has worked with Tesco to run a Dementia Roadshow which has toured the UK.

The charity is also distributing thousands of leaflets about the importance of diagnosis to GP surgeries and other community facilities in Yorkshire and the Humber at the end of January.

The charity's advice is to speak to your GP if you are worried about your memory and experiencing symptoms such as

Struggling to remember recent events, despite being able to recall things that happened in the past; finding it difficult to follow conversations or programmes on TV; having problems thinking and reasoning and regularly forgetting the names of friends or everyday objects.

People who are worried about their memory can also contact the Alzheimer's Society Helpline on 0300 222 1122.