World Alzheimer’s Month takes place every September, led by Alzheimer’s Disease International.
MacIntyre is committed to continuing our ground-breaking work supporting people who have a learning disability and autistic people who have a diagnosis of dementia.
Facts you may not know
There are 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the United Kingdom, approximately 47,000 of whom have Downs’s syndrome. In the UK, one in ten people with a learning disability will develop young onset dementia.
People with Down’s syndrome:
- 1 in 50 aged 30-39
- 1 in 10 aged 40-49
- 1 in 3 in their 50s
- 2 in 3 in their 60’s
People with a learning disability (without Down’s syndrome):
- 50 and older - 12% will have dementia
- 65 and older - 20% will have dementia (in people without a learning disability the figure is 1%)
Autistic people:
- 10% of autistic adults (without a learning disability) will develop dementia over the age of 60
These figures are significantly higher than the general population.
Support at MacIntyre
At MacIntyre we support a growing number of adults who have a learning disability, autism or both and are suspected or diagnosed with dementia. They are able to live gloriously fulfilled lives with person-centred support.
Recognising and reducing risk
With the number of people living with dementia set to almost triple by 2050, it has never been more important to recognise the risk factors associated with dementia and take proactive steps towards risk reduction.
Never too early, never too late
This year’s theme of Never too early, never too late, centres on the key risk factors of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The aim is to emphasise their crucial role in delaying and potentially preventing the onset of dementia. Importantly, this includes ongoing risk reduction for those who have already been diagnosed.
Help us raise awareness
The Health Team at MacIntyre will be sharing many different resources and infographics throughout the month please do get involved, follow the team on Twitter(X) @DementiaLD. Look out for us on Instagram and other socials throughout September, join in with sharing and raising the awareness of people with a learning disability and autistic people living with dementia. [javascript protected email address] if you would like more information.
