Alzheimer’s Society release new dementia figures on day of Tesco Charity of the Year

IN 2021, over 2,500 people will be living in Liverpool with dementia that has gone undiagnosed. A new partnership between Tesco, Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland has for the first time mapped the state of dementia and diagnosis levels in the UK and announced bold plans to help fight the disease. Together, they plan to raise £5million to build a better future for people with dementia and help to raise diagnosis levels from just 51% by 2014.

The new UK-wide ‘Mapping the Dementia Gap’ study reveals the number of people with dementia in Liverpool and the percentage who receive a diagnosis. A formal diagnosis is vital for people with dementia and without it they can’t access drugs, advice and support on how to live more effectively with the condition. But many people delay seeking help because of low awareness of symptoms and treatments or fear they will lose their independence.

The Tesco Charity of the Year partnership will fund new research, dementia support professionals to help those living with the condition, and a Dementia Community Roadshow that will visit Liverpool on its tour around the UK, raising awareness of dementia and encouraging people worried about their memory to visit their GPs.

Available in an interactive map at:- alzheimers-tesco.org.uk, the research shows where Liverpool falls in relation to diagnosis rates around the UK:-

► There are currently almost 4,400 people living with dementia in Liverpool.

► In Liverpool, over 5,200 people are predicted to have dementia in 2021 and yet only 51% of them will have been given a diagnosis.

► Overall in the UK, Dorset has the lowest rates of diagnosis with only a quarter (26%) of people really knowing they have dementia while two thirds (69%) of people living in Belfast have had a diagnosis.

► Overall in the UK, over a million people are predicted to have dementia in 2021 and yet only 40% of them will have been given a diagnosis.

Sam Giles, actress and Alzheimer's Society supporter said:- “Having personally experienced caring for a loved one with dementia, I appreciate the work Alzheimer's Society does to help those affected by the condition. It’s vital that we raise awareness of dementia in Liverpool otherwise in ten years time over 2,500 people with condition in the city will go undiagnosed and will not have access to the care and support they need. Help us raise £5 million so we build a better future for people with dementia.”

Local carer, Phil Dickinson, who cares for his father in law, said:- “We really need to raise awareness of dementia and let people know they don’t have to go through it alone. This partnership with Tesco is a great opportunity to do this and will hopefully encourage people who are concerned about their memory to go to their GP and get a diagnosis so they can access the support and treatment they need.”

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer’s Society says:- “It’s really concerning that 49% of people in Liverpool with dementia don’t have a diagnosis and so can’t access the support they badly need. The money raised through the Tesco partnership will help us make sure people with dementia don’t face it alone. Anyone who is concerned about their memory should visit their GP. If you’d like our Roadshow to visit a Tesco near you, visit our website and let us know.”

David Reid, Chairman, Tesco said:- "There are 750,000 people living with dementia in the UK. This means that almost half of our staff and customers have a loved one or Friday, end with dementia, so we are proud to have the opportunity to work with the Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer's Scotland to make a real and lasting difference to their lives, from diagnosis through to treatment.”

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said:- “With our ageing population and the high number of people who never receive a diagnosis for their dementia, the need for raising awareness and encouraging people to seek help has never been greater. This initiative with Tesco, Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer Scotland is exactly the kind of partnership working we need to get out into communities and encourage people to talk about dementia.”

Help us raise £350,000 in a weekend running over 27 May to 28 May 2011, by joining us in The BIG Collection at your local Tesco store. Register at:- alzheimers-tesco.org.uk or call them on:- 0845 678 7678.

NILS LOFGREN ACOUSTIC DUO UK TOUR

CMP Entertainment are proud to present 'Nils Lofgren', legendary American songwriter, virtuoso guitarist and pianist, returning to the UK on the back of a hugely successful October 2010 tour. Nils Lofgren is famed for his appearance on Neil Young's seminal album 'After The Goldrush', as a long-time member of Bruce Springsteen's E-Street band, and as a superb front-man himself, both with Grin and under his own name. Known for his world-class guitar-playing, and his on-stage acrobatics, Nils Lofgren is a true Rock legend in his own right. Nils is currently in the studio, working on his next solo album; his 2008 album, ‘The Loner – Nils Sings Neil’ is a tribute to the great Neil Young, whilst his 2006 album 'Sacred Weapon' features contributions from legends Willie Nelson, David Crosby and Graham Nash, along with a duet with old Grin band-mate Bob Berberich.  Multi-instrumentalist Greg Varlotta will join Nils for an acoustic set. Expect classic Lofgren tunes like ‘Cry Tough’, 'I Came to Dance', 'Keith Don't Go' and many others from his vast back catalogue.   Tickets for these shows are on sale now:-

Wednesday,  1 June 2011 Southampton, The Brook £29.50 call:- 02380 555366

Thursday,  2 June 2011 London, Cadogan Hall £32.50 call:- 0207 7304500

Friday,  3 June 2011 Bradford, St George’s Hall £28.50 call:- 01274 432000

Saturday, 4 June 2011 Cardiff, St David’s Hall £28.50 call:- 02920 878444

Sun 5 June 2011 High Wycombe, Swan Theatre £29.50 call:- 01494 512000

Tuesday,  7 June 2011 Wolverhampton, Robin 2 £28.50 call:- 01902 401211

Wednesday,  8 June 2011 St Albans, Alban Arena £28.50 call:- 01727 844488

Thursday,  9 June 2011 Sheffield, City Hall £28.50 call:- 01142 789789

Friday,  10 June 2011 York, Barbican £28.50 call:- 0844 854 2757

Saturday, 11 June 2011 Chatham, Central Theatre £28.50 call:- 01634 338338

Sun 12 June 2011 Southend, Cliffs Pavilion £29.50 call:- 01702 351135

Monday 13 June 2011 Liverpool, Philharmonic Hall £28.50 call:- 0151 709 3789

Wednesday,  15 June 2011  Northampton, Derngate Theatre call:- £29.50 01604 624811

Thursday,  16 June 2011  Hastings, White Rock Theatre £29.50 call:- 01424 462288

Friday,  17 June 2011  Shrewsbury, Theatre Severn £28.50 call:- 01743 281281

Saturday, 18 June 2011 London, Cadogan Hall £32.50 call:- 0207 7304500

Ticketmaster:- 0870 534 4444, Ticketline:- 0870 444 5556, See Tickets:- 0871 220 0260 and Gigantic:- 0115 959 7908.

Free and easy for Royal street parties

THERE will be no charge for street parties in Liverpool being held to celebrate the Ral Wedding on 29 April 2011. The City Council has agreed that it will cover the costs associated with the legal closure of roads where parties are being held. However, party organisers are being advised that they will require public liability insurance for their events. They will also need to arrange with Enterprise-Liverpool for “road closed” signs. “We are trying to make life as easy as possible for those people who want to organise street parties. We will not make them pay for advertising the closure of their roads which can be costly. And we want to reassure them they do not need licences or permits for serving drinks or foods or playing music. It is only in the unlikely event of anybody selling alcohol at their party will they need some form of licensing. We have also been asked if we require risk assessments and the answer is no – although we are advising people they should have a Plan B in place in case there is bad weather, for example. And we also expect people to clean up after them – it is their neighbourhood and we would hope they would show pride in where they live by tidying up and recycling whatever they can.” said Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration and transport. The deadline for applications for street parties is 8 April 2011. Because of the need to liaise with the emergency services and ensure that traffic routes in the city can be maintained, no applications will be considered beyond that date. Application forms are available from:- ian.cuthbert@liverpool.gov.uk and further information is available on the council’s website.