Care bosses have welcomed the start of Dementia Awareness Week, which begins today.

The week has been organised by Alzheimer's Society and lasts from today until May 25. Community groups and voluntary organisations are being encouraged to hold events throughout this week to raise awareness about the condition.

The president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), Sandie Keene, said: ‘ADASS members will be fully backing the aims and objectives of this awareness week. More and more is becoming known about the impact of dementia, the growing needs of the growing numbers of people with dementia, and the growing pressures on our health and social care system, which are involved.

‘There is, now, a widespread recognition of the extent and seriousness of dementia. We welcome the positive commitment by the Government, and particularly the prime minister, as well as local authorities to improve services through better and earlier diagnosis; better prevention, better treatment and better, more personalised planning for care.'