#20000reasons Alzheimer's campaign seeking support from Ballymena

Now, the charity which campaigns for those affected is calling on local people to support their campaign to ensure that sufferers receive an early diagnosis of the condition.

Bernadine McCrory, Director of Operations for the Alzheimer’s Society in Northern Ireland, explains: “There are 20,000 people in Northern Ireland with dementia and 7,000 of them have not received a diagnosis.

“Getting a diagnosis is a gateway to information, support and services that enable people with dementia to live well and independently for longer. Not having a diagnosis can compromise a person’s general health and wellbeing and can lead to an earlier need for residential and nursing care. It is vital that a timely diagnosis is not reliant on luck or location.”

Bernadine continued: “With there being 806 people with dementia in Ballymena perhaps your readers would consider supporting Alzheimer’s Society’s #20000reasons campaign to call on the Northern Ireland Executive to take action on dementia by ensuring consistency of diagnosis rates across all trusts and that people with dementia are given information, support and care from the point of diagnosis.

Show your support by signing our open letter www.alzheimers.org.uk/totheNIexecutive . You can also support our campaign on twitter by following us on @AlzSocNI or go to #20000reasons.