Insurance is an industry which is ultimately all about helping people cope with loss. That could be property, life itself or the loss of mobility, speech, sight or your health after an accident or illness. One gradual loss, which impacts many people is dementia and so Insurance Edge is supporting this charity campaign across our industry. Please have a read.
Is it getting older, or is it dementia? Insurance United Against Dementia (IUAD) is here to make sure no one has to face dementia alone.
There are currently around 900,000 people with dementia in the UK. This is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.
IUAD is an Alzheimer’s Society movement created and championed by leaders from across the insurance industry. Chaired by Aon’s Richard Dudley and previously QBE’s Chris Wallace, the campaign seeks to raise £10 million to provide help for those affected by dementia today and hope for a better tomorrow through research into the condition.
Since the campaign launched in 2017, the industry has raised over £8m to help Alzheimer’s Society fund research into dementia alongside helping vital services like Dementia Advisers to continue supporting people affected by dementia and their families.
DAY OF GIVING
The industry has got behind initiatives such as the Insurance Day of Giving, which raised over £100,000 last year, and so many have taken part in runs, cycling challenges and treks over the years too. The support of the industry will also add up to something much bigger – a society where no one has to face dementia alone. From funding Dementia Advisers who are a lifeline for people with dementia to kickstarting someone’s dementia research career as they pave the way for future discoveries.
Looking to the future of the campaign, there is a great opportunity for the insurance industry as IUAD enters it’s next phase. The progress made by the initiative has been fantastic to date, but there is always more to do. The opportunity presented now is to promote greater connectivity and greater awareness of the work that is being done and the impact it is having for people affected by dementia.
“If you join those different pillars across the industry together, the power of the industry in driving awareness of dementia, of the services available, and of how to treat employees, families and customers in that predicament is really something. It’s also just a wonderful opportunity for the insurance industry to prove, yet again, that it cares and it can make a difference.” Richard Dudley, Chair of IUAD.
Where IUAD differentiates itself from a lot of other charitable initiatives is that it goes beyond fundraising and looks to also galvanise the wider market and educate market players to drive greater awareness of dementia and how those affected can be supported. From the beginning, IUAD had a vision of how it could change how the industry tackles dementia and has since pursued that agenda tirelessly.
RESEARCH AND SUPPORT
Dementia devastates lives and it’s important to identify the signs to get a timely diagnosis. Recent research, conducted with over 1000 people affected by dementia, shows that the misconception that symptoms like memory loss are a sign of normal ageing is the biggest barrier to people seeking a dementia diagnosis.
Diagnosis rates have fallen to a five-year low due to Covid-19. Alzheimer’s Society estimate there are around 33,000 people in England living with dementia who would have been diagnosed had the pandemic not happened. This means they don’t have access to the vital care and support that a diagnosis can bring.
Getting a diagnosis can be daunting, but Alzheimer’s Society think it’s better to know. And so do 91% of people affected by dementia.
Over 9 in 10 people affected by dementia see a benefit from getting a diagnosis. It allows them to receive practical advice and support, to plan for the future, and can even offer a sense of relief in knowing what’s going on.
Alzheimer’s Society are encouraging those who are concerned that they or a someone close to them may be experiencing signs of dementia to come to us for support. They offer practical advice on what next steps to take, what to expect during and after the diagnosis process, and what support Alzheimer’s Society can offer throughout.
RECOGNISE THE SIGNS
There are five facts about the condition to help you understand it:
1. The word ‘dementia’ describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem solving or language, and often changes in mood, perception or behaviour.
2. Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease of a series of strokes. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
3. Dementia is more common in people over 65, but it can affect younger people too.
4. There are factors that increase your risk of getting dementia, but it is not usually possible to say for sure why a particular person has developed dementia.
5. Most instances of dementia are not inherited but there are exceptions. These exceptions tend to be rarer forms of dementia or cases where someone develops the condition very young – in their 50s.
If you are affected by dementia and need support, contact Alzheimer’s Society’s support line to speak to a Dementia Adviser: 0333 150 3456.
“I remember one caller rang and she just started crying. She said,“I feel so alone, you’re the first person I’ve spoken to since I have been diagnosed”. She felt that the doctor didn’t have enough time to explain the condition to her. She said she felt so lonely, she was happy she could just get through to someone who could just speak to her.” – Mark, an Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Adviser.
There are lots of ways to support Alzheimer’s Society and get involved with the campaign, through taking part in fundraising events to raising awareness of dementia.
Visit alzheimers.org.uk/iuad to find out more.
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