News Release, 4 January 2002
The film Iris, which opens in the UK on 18th January, will help to raise awareness of a disease that is soon likely to affect every family in the UK, according to the Mental Health Foundation. It highlights novelist Iris Murdoch's deterioration due to Alzheimer's disease, a portrayal for which Judi Dench has been tipped for an Oscar nomination.
Alzheimer's disease most often occurs in later life, affecting one in five by the age of 80, but it can also occur in younger people, affecting 1 in every 1,000 under the age of 65.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, which is marked by a gradual decline in mental abilities such as memory, thinking, perception and making sense of things. Dementia is on the increase; this century it will be the most prevalent cause of death in women in the developed world.
Alisoun Milne, Mental Health in Later Life consultant with the Mental Health Foundation said: "I am pleased to see a major film which tackles such a difficult and distressing mental illness. There is a great deal of misunderstanding and fear around Alzheimer's disease, and we hope that Iris helps people to understand what it means, for family and friends as well as for the person with the condition."
People with dementia may become depressed, incontinent, restless, aggressive and have problems sleeping. Eventually they often fail to recognise even family members and may need constant care. People close to someone with advanced dementia have often observed that, although the person is still alive, it is as if their personality has withered away.
Although there is no cure for dementia, there are drugs treatments available that can alleviate the symptoms in the early stages of the illness. People may also be referred to memory clinics which can help them to retain memory skills for a longer period, and there is often support available for family members, to help reduce the stress of caring for someone who has dementia.
Alisoun Milne urges people to seek support: "It can take some time for dementia to be diagnosed, but this should not stop people from coming forward if they are concerned about themselves or someone close to them. I would encourage anyone whose life is affected by dementia to contact an organisation such as ours, for information and to be put in touch with people who can help."
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