'More understanding of dementia required'
A LOCAL charity has called for a major awareness-raising campaign in Northern Ireland to tackle the lack of understanding about dementia.
The Alzheimer's Society says the drive must be part of the Government's forthcoming dementia strategy.
Its appeal comes as a Co Fermanagh community comes to
terms with the loss of a couple who were affected by the illness.
Anne Barbour, 83, was found dead at her home on the Sligo Road last Tuesday by a neighbour and the following day the body of her 88-year-old husband Bill was recovered from Rossole Lough.
A post-mortem examination found that the former Second World War veteran had drowned.
Their son James has since revealed his belief that the couple planned their deaths many years ago.
In a poignant memoriam printed in the News Letter on Friday,
he and his siblings Charlotte, Pauline and Tom paid tribute to
"66 years of steadfastness, love and devoted affection; also a long
and cruel illness patiently endured".
On Friday the Alzheimer's Society launched a report which found that people with dementia and their carers regularly face isolation and prejudice because of the condition.
Launched at Belfast City Hall, the report - entitled Listening
Well - documents the experience of people with dementia getting a
diagnosis and accessing information, support and treatment after
diagnosis.
One local couple, Willie and Alison Gray, spoke to the BBC of how their lives had changed since Willie was diagnosed with Alzheimers two years ago at the age of 60.
He related how he would go to the shop and forget what he was there to buy, what day it was or what his plans were for that evening.
"It's partly learning how to deal with the frustration," he said.
"You just have to say, 'well that's the way I am, take it easy and think about things that you can do'."
The report was commissioned by the Alzheimer's Society to ensure the involvement of people with dementia in the development of the dementia strategy.
The Department of Health says it plans to initiate a public consultation
on the draft strategy next February.
The society's director Claire Keating said that people with dementia had "been in the shadows for too long".
She added: "People with dementia have the same rights as everyone
else and it's essential that their voices and views are listened to so that they can be better supported to live well with dementia.
"We must commit to a major public awareness drive to tackle
the isolation that so many people with dementia feel."
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Weather for Belfast
Thursday 09 February 2012
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