September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day, the annual day when organizations around the world raise awareness of dementia and Alzheimer’s, the most common form of the condition.
Every 3.2 minutes someone in the UK develops dementia. There are now about 850,000 people living with the incurable condition here and that figure is expected to rise to one million by 2025.
It’s a worrying statistic – but health and care organisations in Salford are helping to fight back with a huge range of initiatives aimed at improving care and treatment for people living with dementia and – one day – to find a cure.
Salford Royal has an ongoing programme of developments to further improve the quality of care and experience for patients with dementia. These include pop-up Reminiscence Pods for use on wards, a relaxing Dementia Courtyard, clearer signage around the hospital site and refurbished day rooms.
It is also a key centre for dementia research, with studies taking place across the spectrum – from people with mild forgetfulness to those who have a confirmed diagnosis.
Consultant Neurologist Matt Jones said: “We know many people are worried about dementia and the effect it might have on them and their loved ones. But with modern healthcare it’s possible to have a good quality of life with dementia and we are also part of a huge programme of research looking for better ways of diagnosing and treating it.
“There definitely is hope with dementia and volunteering to take part in research through our Citizen Scientist project or the national Join Dementia Research scheme is one way to help.”