Don’t let them be lonely this Christmas

DEMENTIA sufferers in Greater Manchester are at significant risk of being isolated over the festive period, according to new findings released by the Alzheimer’s Society.

The study said that 63 per cent of people with dementia have found that Christmas invitations have gone down since their diagnosis.

Almost half (47 per cent) of those diagnosed also said the biggest worry was how family and friends would react to unusual behaviour.

Sue Clarke, operations manager for the Alzheimer’s Society in Greater Manchester, said: “Christmas is usually a time when families, friends and communities get together but people affected by dementia in Greater Manchester can struggle to take part or get left out altogether.

“It can be particularly painful when invitations to social events dry up because friends and neighbours fear dementia and don’t know how to act.”

There are an estimated 29,950 people in Greater Manchester living with dementia who face being excluded during the festive period with 71 per cent of those surveyed believing this exclusion is the result of a lack of understanding.

To find out more about becoming a Dementia Friend visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk.
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