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08 May 2014 08:31
Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is one of the stars backing the dementia campaign
Stars from the worlds of music, sport, comedy and television are coming together to raise awareness of dementia.
Musicians Chris Martin, Lily Allen and Alesha Dixon have teamed up with footballer Leighton Baines, comedian Simon Pegg, actor Ray Winstone and presenter Paul O'Grady to create a new advert to drum up support for sufferers with the condition.
They want to encourage people to become "dementia friends" to help boost volunteering, education and care nationwide.
The condition, which is associated with an ongoing decline of the brain and its abilities, usually occurs in people over the age of 65. People in this age group can protect themselves on holiday by taking out travel insurance that is specific to them, covering thousands of medical conditions and providing access to 24/7 emergency assistance.
Memory loss, thinking speed, mental agility, language, understanding and judgement are all affected by dementia.
The pop stars will be seen performing The Beatles' track I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends in the ad.
Author Sir Terry Pratchett, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease himself, is also involved in the call to arms, which will see volunteers who take part in the scheme attend free sessions to learn how to spot the signs of dementia and offer support for sufferers.
A new report compiled by the Centre for Economics and Business research on behalf of Dementia Friends - the Alzheimer's Society's campaign - reveals that businesses in England are losing out on £1.6 billion each year because of employees' caring obligations for people who have dementia.
It estimates that 50,000 carers will have to quit their job this year due to caring responsibilities, while a further 66,000 will have to make adjustments to the number of hours they work to fit in such duties.
Public Health England and the Alzheimer's Society are therefore encouraging more people to sign up to the Dementia Friends initiative.
18 January 2019
A plant-based diet is needed to protect future generations and safeguard the wellbeing of the planet, according to experts.
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17 January 2019
Campaigners are protesting outside the High Court in London as the legal challenge against Heathrow Airport's controversial expansion ramps up.
16 January 2019
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15 January 2019
NHS commissioners could be slapped with a £2,500 fine for every patient left waiting more than a year for vital care, new proposals suggest.
12 January 2019
All UK airports should buy anti-drone technology and not rely on the Royal Air Force to help out, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has said.
10 January 2019
The military was brought in on Tuesday night after police officers saw a drone operating at Heathrow Airport, forcing departures to be suspended for an hour.
11 January 2019
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09 January 2019
A hormone released during exercise could help protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests.
08 January 2019
Ryanair has been labelled the worst airline operating in the UK for the sixth year running in a leading consumer group survey.
05 January 2019
Anti-drone technology will be deployed at the UK's two busiest airports in response to the disruption caused before Christmas.
04 January 2019
A new cancer-detecting breathalyser test is being trialled in the UK - in a move that could revolutionise the way the disease is diagnosed.
03 January 2019
The average 10-year-old child will have already eaten more sugar in their life than the maximum amount recommended for 18-year-olds, a new study reveals.