Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer’s Society is a United Kingdom care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.

It is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many of the 25,000 members have personal experience of dementia, as carers, health professionals or people with dementia themselves.It is a registered charity, number 296645.

History

The organisation was formed in 1979, when two people with extensive experience of caring for relatives with dementia discussed the pressing need to raise awareness of dementia and to improve the quality of care, support and information for people with dementia and their carers.

This led to the creation of the 'Alzheimer's Disease Society'. A steering committee was formed, consisting of carers and medical professionals, and the first annual general meeting was held on 13 September 1980. This first AGM was attended by 98 members and supporters. The first Newsletter was published in January 1981. A development officer was employed at around this time, and the first branches were established in Oxford and Bromley in 1980 and 1981 respectively.

Through the 1980s and 1990s the society continued to grow, with volunteer committees establishing branches across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. At the AGM in 1999 members of the society agreed the change of name to 'Alzheimer's Society'.

By 2003 the society was a £30 million organisation, with over 230 branches across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Activities

The society:
* has 230 local branches provide support and information for people with dementia and their carers
* provides information and support for people with dementia and their carers by telephone and online, including factsheets which can be downloaded
* supports research along the themes of "cause, cure, care", by making research grants and providing the "Dementia Knowledge Centre", whose catalogue is available online
* provides information for health and care professionals to help them to care for people with dementia
* campaigns for the rights of people with dementia and their carers, including awareness-raising and lobbying.

ee also

*Alzheimer's disease
*Dementia

External links

* [http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ Official Site]
*UK charity|296645
* [http://liberty3.alzheimers.org.uk/Liberty3/gateway/gateway.exe?application=Liberty3&displayform=frame&login=false Alzheimer's Society Library:Dementia Catalogue]
* [http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/talkingpoint/site/index.php/ Talking Point forum - an online community for people with dementia and their carers, family and friends to discuss all aspects of the condition.]