There are an estimated 250,000 old people over 75 in this country who suffer from senile dementia, and the number is growing. However, few sufferers or their families ever seek help, perhaps out of embarrassment or fear, and this little-understood disease is often labelled 'the silent epidemic'.
David Hobman , Director of Age Concern (England), has been finding out about the disease, about the state of confusion which surrounds our attempts to deal with it, and about some imaginative examples of care and support which point the way to an effective service for the future.
A confidential off-air phone-in service is available for information about working with dementia sufferers and their carers. The number to ring is [number removed]
Producer CHRISTOPHER STONE
A background information pack is available.
Write, enclosing a SAE (8 x 6). to: A State of Confusion,
[address removed]
INFO: page 77