Dementia

In a surprise – and very welcome – move, David Cameron yesterday described the 'quiet crisis' of dementia as 'a personal priority', and announced a new challenge.

Campaigners living with dementia are taking the chance to speak out about their experiences at major international conferences and using social media.

Having a senior moment"

Not quite all there"

Non compos mentis..."

These phrases will undoubtedly be offensive to people who have a diagnosis of dementia – but which of us hasn't used them unthinkingly and in a jokey kind of way? Perhaps this is because, for most of us, 'getting dementia' is our very worst fear. In our newspapers and on our televisions we see images of frail, elderly people, seemingly powerless and unengaged.