A CHRISTCHURCH woman has told of her experience with dementia as research reveals one in three people born in 2015 will develop the disease in their lifetime.

Around 850,000 people in the UK have dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Society. There are more than 100 types of dementia, but the most common forms are Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Kay Sayer, 69, was diagnosed with the disease two years ago.

“I first noticed something wasn’t right about three years ago,” she said.

“I kept saying to my husband ‘I keep forgetting things’. My mother had Alzheimer’s and her mother had vascular dementia. I knew that things weren’t good in my brain so I went to the doctor and said ‘I think I’ve got dementia’.

“The doctor said he’d do a test. The first test was so easy I went back and said I wanted to do a proper test. That’s when I got my diagnosis.”

Jo Maylon, services manager at Alzheimer’s Society, explained dementia affected everyone differently and can cause a wide range of symptoms which will get worse over time. These can include problems with memory, thinking, concentration and language.

She continued: “Various factors can increase the risk of someone developing dementia. Ageing, genes, health and lifestyle all play a part. Most people with dementia are over 65 years of age, but dementia does also affect younger people too.

“There is no known cure for dementia, but there are drugs and other therapies that can help with some of the symptoms. With a combination of these, lots of people can live well with dementia for many years.

“After someone has been diagnosed with dementia, we would recommend they talk to friends and family about how they're feeling,” she added.

Kay added: “I’ve had lots of support from my husband and family. Everyone seemed quite blasé so I’ve been quite lucky really. My husband’s very patient with me. I’ve got my diary, which is my bible really. I have to check it three or four times a day.

“That’s something I would recommend to people – use a diary and make a note of where you’re going and what you’re doing. It’s quite difficult to remember.

“My biggest advice is not to bottle it up – tell someone if you’re worried.”

Information and support from Alzheimer’s Society services in Bournemouth, Poole and east Dorset is available by contacting 01202 764352.

Visit alzheimers.org.uk