• 1. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. It is caused by diseases which lead to changes to the structure and chemistry of the brain.
• 2. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain. The word dementia describes a group of symptoms that may include memory loss, difficulties with planning, problem-solving or language and sometimes changes in mood or behaviour.
• 3. Dementia is not just about losing your memory. People often associate dementia with memory loss, and it does often start by affecting a person’s short-term memory, but dementia can also affect the way people think, speak, perceive things, feel and behave. These symptoms can be very distressing for the person and the family.
• 4. It’s possible to live well with dementia. Scientists and researchers are working hard to find a cure or effective treatments for dementia. In partnership with people with dementia and their families, they are also looking into its causes, how it might be prevented and diagnosed earlier, and how to improve quality of life for people living with the condition.
• 5. There’s more to the person than their dementia. There is no getting away from it – living with dementia is hard. When someone is diagnosed, their plans for the future might have to change. But dementia doesn’t change who they are or what their history is.

Alzheimer Scotland is the leading dementia organisation in Scotland, providing a wide range of specialist services for people with dementia and their carers. They offer personalised support services, community activities, information and advice, at every stage of the dementia journey.

Around 90,000 people in Scotland have dementia, and dementia doesn’t just affect older people with over 3,000 people in Scotland under the age of 65 having some form of dementia.

SHOP TO SUPPORT ALZHEIMER SCOTLAND

Every year Johnstons of Elgin ask their employees to nominate a charity which is close to their hearts. Due to dementia touching so many lives, Alzheimers Scotland was our chosen charity for 2016.