New dementia roadshow will offer support
SCOTLAND’S first Dementia Community Roadshow will visit Milngavie this week with the aim of providing a lifeline of support to affected families.
The nationwide tour will feature a purpose-built information vehicle travelling around Scotland with designs of reaching 10,000 people over the next three years.
Its next stop will be today (Friday) at the Tesco store on Gavins Mill Road, where it will sit from 10am-4pm, and again the following day.
Advice will be open to all visitors with no appointment necessary. All exchanges are dealt with in complete confidence.
Vital
The roadshow, born through co-operation among Alzheimer Scotland, Alzheimer Society and Tesco, also aims to fund additional care professionals, as well as new research into the condition.
Henry Simmons, chief executive for Alzheimer Scotland, said: “The Dementia Community Roadshow has quickly become a vital part of the support service we are able to offer people around Scotland.
“It helps us reach out to communities across the country to give them information and advice should they be affected or worried about dementia.
“It is such a pioneering service and will allow us to get access to people and communities that we have previously been unable to reach.
“No one should face dementia alone and I am delighted that this service will help us achieve this.”
There are more than 15,000 people in Greater Glasgow living with dementia, but this figure could double within the next generation.
Around 100,000 people develop dementia in the UK every year and it is estimated that just 40 per cent of those with the condition are given a formal diagnosis.
This week’s event is aimed at people who are currently living with dementia, are worried about a friend or relative’s memory or simply have questions about the condition.
Fantastic
Tony McElroy, corporate affairs manager for Tesco, said: “We’re really proud to help Alzheimer Scotland raise awareness of dementia in Milngavie.
“It’s fantastic that so many customers will be able to take the opportunity to visit the roadshow and access advice and support.
“Our staff and customers have already been showing great support for our Charity of the Year and we hope that together we can build a better future for people with dementia.”
Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer Scotland are Tesco’s Charity of the Year 2011. Together they aim to raise £5million to fund Dementia Community roadshows, dementia advisors and research.
The partnership aims to help 300 people live better with dementia each day as the tour visits towns across the country.
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alzheimers-tesco.org.uk