News release
20 September 2002
'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.'
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