This years Dementia Awareness Week is happening from 15 - 21 May. Dementia Awareness week wants to raise awareness and understanding of dementia. In 2015 there were 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to 1 million by 2025. One in three people over 65 will develop dementia, and two-thirds of people with dementia are women. The number of people with dementia is increasing because people are living longer.

If you are worried you or someone you know might have dementia, you should first talk to your doctor, or call the Kent Dementia Freephone Helpline - 24 Hour Service on 0800 500 3014.

The Alzheimer’s society have listed 5 things you should know about dementia

1. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing
2. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain
3. It’s not just about losing your memory
4. It’s possible to live well with dementia
5. There’s more to a person than the dementia

To get the Alzheimer’s Society Five Things you should know about Dementia full booklet download it at the link.

For more information go to:

• Dementia Awareness week
• NHS CHoices has a lot of information about dementia
• Kent.gov.uk has details of Kent based help and support
• You can become a Dementia Friend which is a scheme to help improve peoples understanding of dementia and its effects. It is the small things that they can do that could make a difference to people living with dementia. For more go to: www.dementiafriends.org.uk