Nearly 1,800 visited the first show dedicated to providing information and support to people living with or caring for people with dementia in the UK

29 April 2013 – London: The Alzheimer’s Show, the first UK exhibition and conference set-up specifically to provide information and solutions to people living with or caring for someone with dementia, took place in London last weekend. Nearly 1,800 people attended over the two days, with 65% of these visitors either having dementia themselves or caring for a family member or friend who has the illness.

Following extremely positive feedback from both professional and family carers, The Alzheimer’s Show will return next Spring, in a larger London venue. There are also plans for a parallel event, to take place in the North of England in the future.

Professor Martin Green, OBE, the Chief Executive of ECCA, the largest representative body for community care in England, who presented at the show said: “The Alzheimer’s Show was a really first rate event with an excellent mixture of attendees. These included people with dementia, their family, carers and the professionals who support them. There was something truly for everyone.”

Visitors to the event mirrored Professor Green’s sentiment on their visitor feedback forms:
“We were very moved by the speaker’s personal experiences. The advice, information, etc, was all excellent. It has been reassuring to find so much interest and expertise,” said one visitor.
“The show had a very positive atmosphere. It was really refreshing to have focus on positivity and support. The talks by individuals and dementia champions were inspiring. It was a great idea to get the public and professionals together in a single venue,” reported another.

“The quality of speakers was excellent. The mix was very good,” said a vistor to the show with her husband.

“Dad was recently diagnosed. The whole family was here to find out about what might lie ahead. There was lots of information about services I was unaware of and plenty of advice from people who specifically understand the illness. The amount and variety of information in one place was so helpful,” was the feedback from the daughter of a recently diagnosed dementia patient.

“The show was a great success. We were confident from our research that there was a need for such a dedicated event. We just didn’t realise how many people are looking for positive solutions to the dementia care conundrum,” said Nigel Ward, the founder and director of The Alzheimer’s Show.

“Nearly half of the visitors stayed all day and 90% said they would attend a future event, the scope of advice and support not being available anywhere else, concluded Nigel Ward.

Visitors split their time between the Alzheimer’s Matters Theatre, where experts presented the latest research findings and developments in dementia care and resources; the theatres where family carers shared their personal experiences and some exhibitors provided advice on products and services available to support care and carers.

“I was delighted to speak at the inaugural Alzheimer’s Show, an important event attracting thousands of people living with dementia, their loved ones, carers and a huge professional audience,” said Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK.

“The great success of this first year reveals that The Alzheimer’s Show is necessary and timely. Alzheimer’s Research UK looks forward to an even bigger, better event in 2014, delivering more news, advice and support to empower people living with dementia across the UK,” concluded Rebecca Wood of Alzheimer’s Research UK.

There were also nearly 50 exhibitors with stands providing information and selling aids and devices. Cognitive care specialists also demonstrated how activities such as gardening, music or memory prompts can provide release for people with all forms of dementia. Visitors were also given the pleasure of a visit from Billy, SweetTree Home Care Service’s wonderful therapy dog who makes a difference to the many people he visits in care homes each week.

“The Alzheimer’s Show clearly demonstrated that there is a need for greater assistance and understanding for those living with dementia. The idea to provide this in a single venue, where people can come to find out about the services and products available to can make living with dementia easier, was inspiring,” said Lee Hare, spokesperson from the Call Prevention Registry and CPR Call Blocker and expert in the prevention of nuisance calls to vulnerable people including those with dementia.

A full schedule of speakers and exhibitors who attended last week’s show can be found at: http://alzheimersshow.co.uk/alzheimers-matters-theatre / http://alzheimersshow.co.uk/alzheimers-talks / http://alzheimersshow.co.uk/workshop/

The Alzheimer’s Show will return to London in the spring of 2014.

For updates and information please follow us on Twitter (@alzhshow), Facebook, via email – nward@alzheimersshow.co.uk and at www.alzheimersshow.co.uk.

Press contact
Caroline Garstang
Garstang Howlett Communications
07956 430338
caroline.garstang@yahoo.co.uk / @carolineGH