Dementia is 'not taken seriously enough'

Too many people see dementia as a laughing matter, a new poll commissioned by the Alzheimer's Society has found.

The condition, which can cause people to need to make long term care plans earlier than they expected, is joked about to 24 per cent of people, the survey found.

However, fewer than one in ten people think it is acceptable to make fun of dementia, and 55 per cent believe the life-changing condition is not taken seriously enough in society.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said dementia is a "devastating condition which can happen to anyone".

"We must tackle this lack of understanding if we are to ensure people with dementia are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve," he said.

The Alzheimer's Society recently launched a photography competition designed to find snapshots that illustrate what life is like for somebody with dementia.

Posted by Toby Mynott