New Schools Pack On Dementia To Be Launched By Minister For Public Health And Alzheimer Scotland

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 20 Sep 2007 - 14:00 PDT

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Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health, will be launching Alzheimer Scotland's ground-breaking schools pack, Creating a Dementia Friendly Community on World Alzheimer's Day, Friday, 21 September 2007. The launch will take place at Discovery Point; Dundee at 10.45am.The Minister will be meeting with the Scottish Dementia Working Group, a group of people who have a diagnosis of dementia, as well as two pupils from Longforgan Primary School in Perthshire. Longforgan Primary held a poster competition on the dementia risk reduction theme of 'Good for You, Good for Your Brain' and the two winners will present their prize-winning entries to the Minister.

The schools pack is the result of experience by Alzheimer Scotland staff and volunteers in delivering workshops to pupils of late primary age on dementia. An increasing number of schools have shown a keen interest in these workshops, and Alzheimer Scotland's new pack will be sent to all primary schools in Scotland. Schools can use it independently, or can work with local Alzheimer Scotland staff or volunteers. The pack meets several curriculum requirements for Scottish schools, particularly through lessons linked to active and responsible citizenship, as well as promoting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Maureen Thom, Information Manager with Alzheimer Scotland, says, "More and more children are affected by dementia: it could be someone in their local community, a neighbour or even a grandparent. This pack helps pupils to understand what dementia is and how it affects people, in a simple, interesting and engaging fashion. Children tend to be extremely receptive to learning about dementia, which is important in helping to reduce the stigma surrounding the illness."

James McKillop, Chairman of the Scottish Dementia Working Group, who was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago, says, "The children of today are the adults of tomorrow. They are the doctors, carers, nurses, community and family members of the future. They should help people to live with dementia."

World Alzheimer's Day will also be marked by the 7th Annual World Alzheimer's Day Lecture, 'The Dementia Epidemic: is it inevitable?', at 6pm, Wednesday 19 September 2007 at Glasgow Caledonian University.

The speaker is Phil Hanlon, Professor of Public Health at the University of Glasgow. He will speak about the prospects for prevention of dementia, the evidence for risk reduction and its potential both for individuals and for the population as a whole to avoid the expected dramatic increase in the number of people with dementia of 75% within 25 years.

Alzheimer Scotland

Dementia affects between 58,000 and 65,000 people in Scotland in 2007. Alzheimer's disease is the main form of dementia. The second most common is vascular dementia. As yet there is no cure.

World Alzheimer's Day was first inaugurated in Edinburgh in 1994 by the World Health Organisation. It is marked across the world on 21 September, as dementia is a growing issue in every part of the world. Dementia affects 1 in 20 people over the age of 65 and 1 in 5 over the age of 80. Worldwide there are an estimated 24 million people with dementia. By 2040 the number will have risen to 81 million.

Alzheimer Scotland is Scotland's foremost voluntary organisation working for people with dementia and their carers. It:

- speaks out for the rights and concerns of people with dementia and their carers;
- operates services on over 60 sites throughout Scotland providing practical services such as day, evening and weekend centres, home care and befriending and carers' support services;
- has a research programme.

Alzheimer Scotland - Action on Dementia is a company limited by guarantee, registered in Scotland 149069. Registered Office: 22 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 7RN. It is recognised as a charity by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator, no. SC022315.

http://www.alzscot.org