DEMENTIA affects one in 14 people in the UK and one in six of people aged 80 plus.

As part of a nationwide awareness raising campaign, almost 8,000 St Helens residents have signed up to become 'dementia friends'. But what does that mean?

BEING someone with no personal experience of having or knowing someone with dementia, I'm probably in a minority.

To gain more of an insight into the illness, I decided to attend a dementia friends session at St Helens Central Library.

Leading the session was dementia champion and one of the public health managers Matt Davies, who told our small group - each of us there for different reasons but ultimately to learn more - that around 1,900 people in St Helens are diagnosed with dementia.

He said St Helens has nearly 8,000 dementia friends and is exceeding targets for diagnosing dementia compared with the national average.

In an introductory exercise designed to alter our perception of dementia, we were asked to call out words we associate with the condition. Our response was a string of melancholy words such as 'forgetfulness', 'sadness', 'worry', 'loss', 'confusion'... and so on.

And then Matt gently pointed out that our words' common theme was negativity - and this, he said, is exactly what needs to change about people's perception of dementia.

"We tend to forget about the person once they are diagnosed with dementia, but the person is still there," said Matt. "It's like with cancer a couple of decades ago - there was a time nobody said 'the C word'. But nowadays people don't think about the cancer, they think about the person living with the cancer.

"In a similar way, we need to banish the stigma and fear around dementia.

"Many people with dementia can function independently and enjoy the things they've always liked doing; others may need more support, but we need to focus on how people can live well, and not see the condition negatively."

With the help of dementia bingo, a stepping stones game and a bookcase analogy, Matt dispelled commonly-held myths and explained how dementia - of which there are more than 100 types - takes effect.

The myths, he said, include the belief that dementia is a natural part of ageing - it isn't, apparently. Also, it's not just an old person's disease - more and more younger people are being diagnosed with it, although, like with many illnesses, we are more likely to get it as we age.

He initially compared it to flickering lights in areas of the brain and explained it can get worse over time, but not always.

Matt said: "The symptoms can come and go due to this flickering effect - and it's important not to patronise somebody with dementia because they are still themself.

"But when a memory goes, for them it is absolutely real. So, if somebody refers to just having seen a relative who has been dead for years, it is best not to correct them or they may go through the bereavement all over again.

"The trick is to diffuse a situation and keep everybody happy."

Matt also compared the brain to a bookcase, stacked with factual memories - with the most recent ones on the top shelf and distant memories at the bottom. He said dementia has the effect of shaking some of these 'books' off the shelf, sometimes the whole top shelf.

But, he added: "The emotional bookcase remains intact - so even though it may be logical to think 'I won't take my dad out because he won't remember it', that is not the case. The emotional memory of the day out, the feelings of self-esteem and being loved, will still be there."

We learned that dementia effects more than memory - it may change someone's personality and the way they communicate or behave.

Matt said: "A black rug may look like a hole in the ground, fake fruit may be mistaken for real fruit and a landing and staircase with the same carpet could appear to be flat."

He described how the home could need to be adapted due to the dangers of these changes in perception, with different colours marking out steps, table edges and so on.

He said: "Close relatives - those who know a person's normal habits - are the people who will notice changes in behaviour and suspect dementia. The sooner someone gets a diagnosis, the better, so take them to the GP if you have any suspicions."

One of those at the session said her family took action after her mother-in-law made five phone calls in one hour telling them the same things. She said they also noticed personality changes - her formerly shy mother-in-law would speak to anyone.

This was all very illuminating to me, and after the session I now feel that I have a much better understanding of the condition and more able to help.

So, what does a dementia friend do?

Matt said: "Firstly, just being aware of dementia and how it manifests itself means dementia friends will be able to step in and support someone if they need it. They can get more involved and set up information sessions, but that is optional."

For information on becoming a dementia friend, go to dementiafriends.org.uk or call 0300 222 5855.