Scheme aims to improve dementia awareness and provide support

A new project designed to improve dementia awareness and provide support for sufferers in Brent is being launched by the Alzheimer’s Society.

The work will be led by Philomena Mitchell from the society, who will distribute information across Brent and offer a dementia information service via telephone, email and post.

Philomena will also run a monthly information surgery, as well as giving talks and presentations on dementia and running information stands.

She also hopes to work with the borough’s black, Asian and minority ethnic populations, among whom there are lower levels of dementia awareness, diagnosis and use of dementia services.

Peter Todd, the Alzheimer’s Society locality manager for northwest London, said: “There are currently 2,420 people with dementia in the borough, yet, shockingly, only 44 per cent of people have a formal diagnosis.

“This means that many people in the local area are living without access to treatments and financial, emotional or practical support.

“There may also be people with a diagnosis, or those caring for someone with dementia, who do not know what help is available.”

The service has been funded by Brent Council for three years.

To contact the Alzheimer’s Society’s Brent information worker call 01923 823 999.