Could forgetting where you left the keys or loosing your train of thought mid-sentence be a part of growing old or something more serious?

Dementia is not a disease in itself but a number of symptoms that affect the brain. It is usually a gradual loss of mental abilities which can begin with symptoms such as loosing your short term memory and forgetting your train of thought, degenerating to extreme disorientation, confusion and void of all memories.

In 2007 over 700,000 (one person in every 88 in the UK) were diagnosed with dementia but according to The Alzheimer’s Society, up to two thirds of these people are never diagnosed. Symptoms can be difficult to recognize as sufferers and their families may put it down the natural forgetfulness that accompanies old age but without early diagnosis, the risk to both the sufferer and the sufferer’s family are greatly increased.

Drugs such as the controversial Aricept (expensive and unavailable on the nhs) are proven to slow down the progression of dementia of the alzheimer’s type of dementia but experts say that the earlier dementia is diagnosed the greater the chance of effective treatment. The impact on family can also be significant. If dementia is not recognized until the late stages then the patient could be deemed unfit to manage their own assets and assign custody of children but if detected early on, sufferers can hand over power of attorney before the dementia degenerates irrevocably.

Alzheimers week from the 6th July to the 13th hopes to raise awareness and funding for the cause and is being actively supported by companies such as Shackletons, the supplier of long lasting, highly comfortable furniture for nursing homes who are hosting a nationwide teaparty on the 10th July at 11am to raise funding.

If you run a care home, there are plenty of things that you can do to raise money. From selling slices of cake to playing bingo; it all helps.

If you would like to support the Alzheimer’s Society and take part in Shackletons’ Tea Party, Shackletons have produced a helpful booklet. This offers you plenty of advice on how to raise as much money as possible and make your tea party a roaring success. They have also donated a number of prizes, which your guests have a chance of winning. For a copy of their booklet all you need to do is visit their brand new website; www.shackletonsltd.co.uk and click on the ‘getting your party started’ link.