Terry Pratchett: The Government is 'pussy-footing' around Alzheimer’s

Sir Terry Pratchett pleads for the government to invest more money in Alzheimer’s research, on a new dementia blog

 AWARENESS: Terry Pratchett has launched a new Alzheimer’s blog with an attack on politics
TERRY PRATCHETT, who suffers from a rare form of Alzheimer’s disease, has launched a new blog about dementia with a funny and honest look at funding and awareness of the disease.The novelist accused the Government of “pussy footing” around dementia and insisted a huge investment needed to be made to find a cure for the degenerative condition.The top-selling author, famous for his hilarious fantasy series of Discworld novels, said that technology and a compassionate care system help “paper over the cracks” but scientific advances are key.

The Carer: ‘I dread the budget every year – we can’t take any more cutbacks’

Since the ‘Age of Austerity’ began, society’s most vulnerable have been hit hardest.

Today, Independent.ie spoke to mum-of-one Heather Hogan.

Heather is mother of teenager David (16).

Shortly after his birth, David was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.

At the age of two, he was diagnosed with autism. In recent years, he has lost the sight in his left eye, with his remaining sight fading.

David needs care around the clock.

Dementia hub network plan for Norfolk and Suffolk

Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance launch event in Norwich. Willie Cruickshank of Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance.

Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance launch event in Norwich. Willie Cruickshank of Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance.Photo: Steve Adams Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance launch event in Norwich. Willie Cruickshank of Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance.Photo: Steve Adams

Thursday, October 10, 2013
6:30 AM

A network of dementia education hubs are set to be created across Norfolk and Suffolk to help improve awareness and support for the condition, which affects one in four people over the age of 65.

The director of Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance yesterday said the organisation was looking to invest £200,000 in helping to establish around 30 community dementia learning hubs across the two counties to give more support to patients and their carers.

Willie Cruickshank told a Norfolk Older Peoples’ Forum meeting that the organisation was working with other charities such as Age UK, the Alzheimer’s Society and Sue Ryder Care to help establish the hubs within a 15 mile radius of each other to raise awareness of dementia. He added that the hubs would aim to build on places that already had dementia cafes and had become or were becoming dementia friendly communities such as Wymondham, Swaffham and Wells.