Alzheimers Society

About Us

Alzheimer's Society is the leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers.

There are 750,000 people with dementia in the UK with numbers set to rise to one million by 2021.

Alzheimer's Society is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Many of our 25,000 members have personal experience of dementia, as carers, health professionals or people with dementia themselves, and their experiences help to inform our work.

The Society's fight for a better world for people with all types of dementia takes a wide range of forms. Through our network of local services, we touch the lives of over 30,000 people every week, providing practical services and support for people with dementia and their carers. Every year, more than a million people make use of the information we provide.

Through campaigning and lobbying we strive to influence government policies and raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with dementia and the people who care for them. And through our research programme we work to improve the knowledge we have about dementia and its treatment - and pursuing the ultimate goal of finding a cure.

About dementia

The term 'dementia' is used to describe the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by specific diseases and conditions. Symptoms of dementia include loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.

Dementia' is an umbrella term. It describes the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by certain diseases or conditions. There are many different types of dementia although some are far more common than others. They are often named according to the condition that has caused the dementia. Some of the more common types are outlined below.

Alzheimer's disease

This is the most common cause of dementia. During the course of the disease, the chemistry and structure of the brain changes, leading to the death of brain cells.

Factsheet: What is Alzheimer's disease?

Vascular dementia

If the oxygen supply to the brain fails, brain cells may die. The symptoms of vascular dementia can occur either suddenly, following a stroke, or over time, through a series of small strokes.

Factsheet: What is vascular dementia?     

Dementia with Lewy bodies

This form of dementia gets its name from tiny spherical structures that develop inside nerve cells. Their presence in the brain leads to the degeneration of brain tissue.

Factsheet: What is dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)?

Living with dementia

living_with_dementia_220.jpgA diagnosis of dementia can come as a shock. Even if you have been half expecting it, this will be a worrying and upsetting time. It can also be hard for those close to you.
 
You will all need a great deal of reassurance and support. However, there is much that you can do in the early stages that can help to make life easier and more enjoyable, both now and in the future.

As an introduction, you may wish to read our factsheet, What if I have dementia?

Your local support network

support_network_main164.jpgHere is the list of services we offer around the county;
  • Cheltenham Memory Cafe. Second Monday of the month at the Municipal Offices. GL50 9SA 10.30 am - 12.30pm
  • Cam Memory Cafe. Second Monday of the month at Cam Memorial Hall, High St, Cam. GL11 5LE 10.30am-12.30pm
  • Cirencester Memory Cafe. Third Friday of the month. Holy Trinity Church Hall, Trinity Road. GL7 1JR 10am-12pm
  • Cinderford Support Group. Last Thursday of the month. St Annals House, Belle Vue Road. Cinderford GL14 2AB 10.30am-12.30pm
  • Cinderford Memory Group. Second Thursday of the month. Hanover Court, Bilson Close, Valley Road. GL14 2LQ. 3-4.30pm
  • Drybrook Tea Dance.Second Friday of the month. Forest Church School Rooms, Harrow Hill, Forest of Dean. GL17 9JR.  2-4pm
  • Gloucester Singing for the Brain. Every other Wednesday. Hucclecote Rugby Club, Churchdown Lane, Hucclecote, Gloucester. GL3 3LF. 10am-12pm
  • Gloucester Memory Cafe. Second Wednesday of the month. Gloucester Deaf Association, Colin Road, Barnwood, Gloucester. GL14 3JL. 2-4pm
  • Gloucester Pub Grub Club. Last Tuesday of the month. The Greyhound Pub. Longlevens. Gloucester GL2 0XH. 12am - 1.30pm
  • Gloucester Art Group. Every other Tuesday. Gloucester Resource Centre, City Works, Alfred Street, GL1 4DF. 10.30am-12.30pm
  • Gloucestershire Directions Group. The Oakwood, Tewkesbury Road, Twigworth. Takes place from 11am.
  • Stonehouse Carers Support Group. Once a month, Tuesday afternoons. Stonehouse Community Centre, Laburnum Walk. Stonehouse GL10 2NS. 2pm-3.30pm
  • Stonehouse Singing for the Brain. Every other Tuesday. Stonehouse Community Centre, Laburnum Walk. Stonehouse. GL10 2NS. 2-3.30pm
  • Stow on the Wold Singing for the Brain. Every other Tuesday. Stow Youth Centre. GL54 1DW. 11am-12.30pm
  • Good 2 Go! - This is a countywide service for working age adults. A programme of events is available from the office.

Contact us - All enquiries - 01452 525222

Agriculture House
Greville Close
Sandhurst Lane
Gloucester
GL2 9RG
Office - 01452 525222

If you want to get in touch with our main switchboard based at Devon House, London please contact 020 7423 3500 or email enquiries@alzheimers.org.uk
Helpline: 0845 300 0336
Leading the fight against dementia.
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