MEMORY loss through Alzeihmer's Disease affects many of the nation's 700,000 dementia sufferers.

By the start of the Millennium there will be over a million people aged over 85 living in Britain - a fifth of them suffering from Alzheimer's or some other form of dementia.

As part of Alzheimer's Awareness Week running from July 4-10 the Wigan Support Group of the Alzheimer's Disease Society will be launched.

Some 40,000 dementia sufferers live in the north west and 4,500 of these live in the borough.

The 'Meeting of Minds' launch takes place next Tuesday (2-4pm) at Sunshine House - the Social Services department's Elder Persons Mental Health team HQ in Scholes.

Sunshine House manager Joan Wadcock said: "Memory is a very precious facility.

"Not only for things like locking the front door when we leave the house but also for reliving pleasant occasions in the past.

"So, I hope, during Alzheimer's Week most people will keep a corner in their minds to remember the plight of those who have largely lost the ability to remember anything for very long.

"People who have developed dementia are let down by their memory. Their carers have to support them constantly and have to cope with the devastating effects of this disease every day.

"The way in which they continue to be patient, kind and loving is nothing short of heroic. Millions of lives are affected.

"Meeting needs of people with dementia and their carers is complex and may involve many different professionals and agencies.

"Only through partnership between carers, health and social services professionals, scientists, researchers and people with dementia themselves can the challenge be met."

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