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PM's dementia support plans

The Prime Minister is calling on a million members of the public to provide support for dementia sufferers. David Cameron has set out his ambitious plan to create masses of "dementia friends" who will be able to spot the signs of the condition.

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What is Dementia?

  • The term 'dementia' describes several symptoms which include loss of memory, mood changes and problems with communicating.
  • Dementia occurs when the brain is damaged by certain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and damage caused by a series of small strokes.
  • Dementia is progressive and the symptoms gradually get worse. The progression depends on the individual person and what type of dementia they have.
  • Dementia affects 800,000 people in the UK and it mainly affects people over the age of 65.
  • However, it can affect younger people as there are over 17,000 people in the UK under the age of 65 who have dementia.

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