1. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing

Memory problems are one of a number of symptoms that people with dementia may experience. Others include difficulties with planning, thinking things through, struggling to keep up with a conversation, and sometimes changes in mood or behaviour.

Dementia is not a natural part of ageing and it doesn’t just affect older people. Over 40,000 people under 65 in the UK have dementia. This is called early-onset or young-onset dementia.

2. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain

Diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease cause nerve cells to die, damaging the structure and chemistry of the brain.

There are lots of other causes and no two types of dementia are the same. In different types of dementia there is damage to different parts of the brain.

3. It’s not just about losing your memory

When most people hear the word dementia, they think of memory loss.

And it does often start by affecting the short-term memory. Someone with dementia might repeat themselves and have problems recalling things that happened recently. But dementia can also affect the way people think, speak, perceive things, feel and behave.

4. People can still live well with dementia

Although there is no cure for dementia, scientists and researchers are working hard to find one.

Until that day comes, support and treatments are available that can help with symptoms and managing daily life. These can allow people with dementia to lead active, purposeful lives and carry on doing the things that matter to them most.

5. Alzheimer’s Society is here for anyone affected by dementia

We provide expert information and support to anyone affected by dementia.

Call our National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 11 22 if you’d like to talk to someone for information, support or advice

Sign up to Talking Point, our online community for anyone affected by dementia. Unite, share experiences and get support 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Find services local to you for people affected by dementia.

All this information and more can be found here

The great thing is you can fundraise to fund money for research and support. You could organise a tea party, pub quiz, funrun or ‘sponsored slim’ Get more info and idea’s on fundraising.

If you are fundraising/have funraised for a good cause, if you are a student or staff member at CCCU, please contact us on movemore facebook, twitter or email (movemore@canterbury.ac.uk), we would love to hear about your experience and share your story on our blog.