Dementia – the greatest fear
According to a recent article in Saga, 86% of people fear developing dementia. This is also the same percentage as those who dread developing cancer and 2% more than those who fear a stroke.
Ten thousand people were questioned and of them 59% were also fearful their partner or a close friend would develop dementia – this was over any other disease. Is this because there are more effective treatments for cancer than dementia or is it because awareness is slowly increasing with regards to dementia?
What does need to be emphasised is that whilst dementia is a terminal condition, people can live well with it for many years. Certain lifestyle adjustments need to be made and there is plenty of help and support provided you seek it out. The Alzheimers Society produce an extremely useful free guide to living well with dementia and you can order a copy on-line here or by phone calling 0300 303 5933 or email orders@alzheimers.org.uk and request a copy.
This guide tells you what practical steps you need to take in planning for the future and how to access all the help you need in the present. I personally cannot recommend it highly enough.
