MORE than 4,500 people are living with dementia in Glasgow.

Over the next 20 years, as life expectancy rises, that number is expected to soar.

Today, the Evening Times launches a campaign which aims to shine a light on a condition that

devastates families.

Over the next 12 months we will be sharing stories from the families affected, highlighting innovations in the treatment of dementia that

are being developed right here in Glasgow and showcasing the community groups, volunteers and

charities that are helping patients live a better life.

We are also encouraging our readers to play a part in making Glasgow a more dementia friendly city.

If you see an older person and have any fears for their wellbeing, don’t be afraid to approach them and check they are okay.

GLASGOW could face more challenges to cope with the projected dementia epidemic because of poverty levels, experts have warned.

The number of people in Glasgow over 65 is expected to increase by almost 40% over the next 20 years and with that the prevalence of dementia will rise.

While there is no direct link between dementia and deprivation, experts say the consequences of living with the condition for those experiencing financial hardship can be more challenging.

Exercise, sociability, good mental health, a good standard of living and keeping the mind active are all known to be factors which can help reduce the effects of an illness which devastates families.

June Andrews, who is a Professor in Dementia Studies, says affluent people may be able to resist dementia and tend to “live better” with the condition.

She said: “When you get dementia, does it make a difference if you are rich or poor?

“Well, some forms of dementia are relentless, no matter what your circumstances.

"An example of that is the inherited form of Alzheimer’s disease that affected the main character in the recent movie Still Alice.

“She was a well off, well educated woman who inherited a form of dementia that struck her when she was middle aged. She couldn’t escape it.

“When someone has any of the diseases that cause dementia, they seem to be able to resist the symptoms for longer if they have lots of previous education, so a person who studied a lot and had extra brain capacity might have earned a lot of money and at the same time be able to resist dementia.

“We know that if you can socialise, eat well, have exercise and live in a well designed place,you will live better with dementia and it may be that those things are more available to you if you are better off.

“Staying in your own home in a familiar environment with 24 hour trained carers would be ideal, but the cost of that would be immense and you’d need a big house.

“A low income old lady in a small flat couldn’t have that.”

According to health records, around 4,500 people are known to be living in Glasgow with a diagnosis of dementia, although charities say there are potentially many more who have not sought or received a diagnosis. .

The number of people caring for someone with dementia has also soared by 83% in the past five years.

A total of 728 people were registered as new carers over 2015/2016, compared with 123 over 2011-12.

A strategy has also been devised to support Glasgow’s bid to become a dementia-friendly city by 2019 which ask all public bodies and city businesses to consider how they could improve services for the elderly.

Last year, the charity Alzheimer Scotland opened a new centre in Bridgeton which runs a range of support services aimed at helping people live better with the devastating condition.

Jill Carson, Adults Services Manager for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde says people living in more deprived areas are more likely to have other health problems such as diabetes or heart problems or vascular problems.

She said: “Often what you find is those co-morbidities come more to the forefront so it’s not always the case that their dementia progresses as much as a healthier persons might do.

“We are not seeing hugely increased numbers of people being diagnosed but we are aware there is a projected increase.

“I think the challenge is the effect dementia has on not just the person but the family, their carers

“In terms of avoiding getting dementia, it’s a difficult one because there is not a lot of evidence around it. You keep yourself as mentally and physically active as you can.

“But even if you do that, we know that a significant proportion of the public will get dementia.

“It is really about if you do get dementia, it’s about keeping yourself connected to your community.

“We deliver post diagnostic support and that’s a government target. It’s about the notion that if you support people well and their carers in the early stages then you give people more resilience and you enable them to manage their condition and carers to cope.

“You are giving people the best chance to live well for longer.”

David Williams, Chief Officer of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, is responsible for helping ensure the city’s care services are able to cope with future demand.

Mr Williams said:”Population projections for the city suggest that while the number of people aged over 65 is not expected to increase significantly over the next five years, there will be an 8.4% increase in the number of those aged over 85.with a 38.7% rise forecast in that age group between 2017 and 2037.

“That will almost certainly lead to an expected rise in the number of older people with dementia.

“Prevalence is not higher with deprivation but the consequences of living with dementia for those in deprived areas and/or who are living in poverty can be more challenging.

“They do not have access to the same level of resources to help mitigate the effects of their condition.

“Traditionally, the focus for dementia care has been NHS diagnosis and treatment, and care and support services delivered by local councils.

“However recently there has been a shift to a focus on how we can enable people who have been diagnosed with dementia to live as full a life as possible, and encourage communities to work together to help people with dementia have the best chance to live well.”