CHARITIES in Wiltshire are joining forces in a major survey of people’s attitudes towards dementia.

Alzheimer’s Support is asking people how they might react to symptoms of memory loss in their own families and what they think can be done to improve the quality of life for people with dementia.

The survey, aimed at over-65s, is part of a Comic Relief-funded project to find out why so few people in the county with dementia have a diagnosis.

Currently, just 33 per cent of those with the condition are officially diagnosed.

Chief executive Anna Littlechild said: “We are already conducting a survey of our service users, into their experiences of being diagnosed. Now we want to find out about people’s attitudes towards dementia generally.

“In particular, we are interested to know whether people would seek help if they were concerned about their own memory or about that of a family member, and the reasons why, or why not.”

The survey is already being filled out by members of U3A and Probus in Devizes and is being supported by other groups, including AgeUK and Carer Support Wiltshire.

The charity is running focus groups of older people in the county, discussing their attitudes to dementia.

Mrs Littlechild said: “The more people who get involved, the more we will understand, so we would encourage as many people as possible to tell us their views.”

Copies of the survey form are available at Alzheimer’s Support’s offices at Park House, Trowbridge, and Sidmouth Street, Devizes, or from AgeUK in Devizes and Carer Support at Semington. They are downloadable from www.alzheimers wiltshire.org.uk.