World Alzheimer's Day™ 2002 - Press Release

'Dementia is not a natural part of ageing' says husband of late Dame Iris Murdoch

Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) is launching a global campaign 'Old age or disease? Recognising dementia' on World Alzheimer's Day (21 September). The campaign is in response to a NOP World survey which found that sixty-five percent of a thousand adults interviewed believed that dementia is a natural consequence of ageing.

The campaign, promoted through Alzheimer associations around the world, sets to dispel the myth that dementia and memory loss, the most common early symptom of dementia, are a natural part of the ageing process.

Professor John Bayley, husband of the late Dame Iris Murdoch said in his support for the campaign 'I first noticed Iris was not herself in a public place. Our lives at home went snugly on just as usual - but when talking at a meeting, Iris suddenly made no sense and seemed bewildered. The audience was update and embarrassed. Eventually a specialist came to see Iris and a brain scan revealed the unmistakable Alzheimer symptoms.'

Elizabeth Rimmer, Executive Director of ADI said 'Age is an important risk factor for dementia, but only about twenty percent of people over the age of eighty have dementia, which means that eighty percent do not. Recognising early symptoms such as memory problems is the first step towards receiving a diagnosis and help. Although there is no cure for most causes of dementia, there are some treatments available. A diagnosis also allows access to advice, support and information provided by Alzheimer associations.'

Notes to editors

ADI is the umbrella organisation of 60 Alzheimer associations around the world. ADI was founded in 1984 and is based in London. ADI has been in official working relations with the World Health Organization since 1996. The president of ADI is Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, daughter of Rita Hayworth, the actress who had Alzheimer's disease.

The NOP World survey was conducted among 1000 adult members of the general public in the USA, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The survey was initiated and funded by Janssen Cilag, a pharmaceutical company. ADI were consulted on survey questions and interpretation of the findings.

Dementia is a progressive degenerative brain syndrome which affects memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia.

Declining memory, especially short-term memory is the most common early symptom of dementia. Other symptoms include difficulty performing familiar tasks, disorientation to time and place, poor or decreased judgment and changes in personality.

Dame Iris Murdoch had Alzheimer's disease and died in 1999 at the age of 80. She was the internationally acclaimed novelist, about whom the Oscar winning film Iris was made.

There are currently an estimated 18 million people around the world with dementia. This figure is expected to rise to 34 million people by 2025.

World Alzheimer's Day is celebrated on 21 September each year. The day was launched with the support of the World Health Organization in 1994. ADI co-ordinates the production and distribution of materials around the world www.alz.co.uk/adi/wad Alzheimer associations, other organisations and individuals throughout the world will be observing the day with events.

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