Rutland's dementia diagnosis rates are more than 10% below the national average
The Rutland and Stamford MP is continuing her campaign to drive up diagnosis rates and end stigma around dementia
Rutland's dementia diagnosis rates are below the national average according to NHS stats.
The figures from June 2024 show the rate for the county is 53.9% when compared to the national rate of 65% for England.
NHS England estimated there are 756 people in Rutland with dementia, while there are only 407 recorded diagnoses.
In an aim to drive up diagnosis rates and end stigma around dementia, the Rutland and Stamford MP is continuing 'Rutland's Great Dementia Conversation' campaign.
Alicia Kearns, said:
"So I've launched Rutland's great dementia conversation because it was the number one health concern for Rutland. When I looked at the statistics, we massively have too few people diagnosed compared to our population.
"My goal was to really essentially break down all those barriers and myths and stigma around dementia, try to get us having a conversation and hopefully increase number of people going forward for diagnosis.
"The sooner you get support for dementia, the sooner you as the family, but also the person living with dementia can get the support that you need. There is so much support that is needed.
"It really is a difficult condition and support is not going to suddenly make it easy, but it is going to significantly make it easier and provide the support you need. There are all sorts of different support mechanisms put in place because dementia can be so difficult on families.
"If somebody has dementia, and they're having a crisis on our streets or in our bakeries or our post office, or if you find someone wandering around who looks a little bit lost, if everyone becomes dementia friendly and dementia aware, we are better able to support people."
As a part of the campaign, the Alzheimer’s Society will be running three 'Dementia Friends Sessions' in October. The sessions are free to attend and open to all. The third information session is aimed at local businesses and their staff.
Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer’s Society led initiative which aims to improve understanding and change the way the nation thinks, talks, and acts about dementia.
The one-hour session will cover a range of activities which will help people to learn more about dementia and how they can help to create dementia friendly communities.