Dementia Roadshow bringing help and advice to Lisburn

With more than 10,000 people predicted to be living in Northern Ireland with undiagnosed dementia in 2021, the Roadshow is being seen as an essential first step in providing much needed information and advice about the condition.

The vehicle will be at the Bentrim Road Tesco Store for two days, and will be open to visitors between 10am and 4pm. People who are currently living with dementia, are worried about a friend or relative’s memory, or just have questions about the disease are encouraged to drop by with no appointment necessary.

A joint Mapping the Dementia Gap study published earlier this year from Tesco, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland revealed huge variations in the numbers of people with dementia receiving a diagnosis around the UK. 40% of people with dementia in Northern Ireland currently don’t have a diagnosis. Many people delay seeking help because of low awareness of symptoms and treatments or fear they will lose their independence.

But a formal diagnosis is vital for people with dementia so they can access drugs, support and advice to enable them to live well with the condition.

The Dementia Community Roadshow aims to reach 100,000 people over three years and will visit Tesco stores across the UK.

Bernadine McCrory, Acting Director of Alzheimer’s Society in Northern Ireland says: “It’s really worrying that 40% of people with dementia in Northern Ireland don’t have access to the help and support they need to live well with the condition.

“This Roadshow really is pioneering as it will help us reach out to communities, tackle stigma by raising awareness of the condition and encourage people who are worried about their memory to visit their GP.”

If people are worried about their memory, or are affected by dementia and can’t get to the Dementia Community Roadshow, they can visit www.alzheimers.org.uk for further information and advice.