Alzheimer’s Society analysis reveals 1 in 3 folks do not know their neighbours

One in three people do not know their next door neighbour as community ties weaken and Britons become more isolated, a survey reveals.

It means lonely elderly people may be going unnoticed, with social isolation increasing their risk of dementia up to 60 per cent, Alzheimer’s Society warns.

The charity, which commissioned the poll of 2,100 adults, is urging the public to check-in on their neighbours and consider if they may appreciate some friendship this Christmas.

It comes as the Daily Mail and Alzheimer’s Society have partnered in a drive to beat dementia, which claims 76,000 lives each year and is the UK’s biggest killer.

The Defeating Dementia campaign aims to raise awareness of the disease, in an effort to increase early diagnosis, boost research and improve care.

Over eight in ten of those surveyed (83 per cent) believe that people living with dementia, and their carers, need more support, and 78 per cent say this need is urgent.

But more than a quarter (27 per cent) said they would feel uncomfortable inviting a person they knew were by themselves to eat Christmas dinner with them.

Michelle Dyson, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘Christmas is traditionally a time for joy, laughter and creating memories.

One in three people do not know their next door neighbour as community ties weaken and Britons become more isolated, a survey reveals

Everyone experiences dementia differently. Use this checklist to help you make a note of your symptoms before you talk to your GP.

‘But for around one million people in the UK living with dementia, the festive season can be a painful reminder of how once familiar traditions become harder to hold onto.

‘Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, with one in three people born today expected to develop the condition.

‘Our survey reveals that people recognise the need for increased support for people affected but don’t know how they can help.

‘Loneliness at Christmas is a painful reality for many, especially those affected by dementia.

‘It will take a society to beat dementia and, with your support, we can be here for more people affected by dementia with our life-changing support services when they need us most.’

Dementia is caused by different diseases that damage the brain.

The symptoms get worse over time and include memory loss, confusion, problems with language and understanding and changes in behaviour.

This can lead people living with symptoms to avoid social interactions and become isolated.

Staying socially connected helps build what is known as ‘cognitive reserve’ – the brain’s ability to cope with damage inflicted by the likes of Alzheimer’s disease.

Social interaction can strengthen resilience, reduce stress and boost mood, all of which support brain health.

Alzheimer’s Society is fundraising so its support services are available for more people affected by dementia and so nobody is left to face the condition alone.

Its Dementia Support Line, which connects dementia patients or their carers to specially trained advisers, received 23,000 calls last winter.

Dementia patients suffer a ‘cruel injustice’ as they often face higher care bills and there are no drugs available on the NHS to slow down, cure or prevent the condition.

The Daily Mail campaign launch, which exposed a postcode lottery in diagnosis rates across the country, fuelled a 6,162 per cent rise in people completing the symptom checker on the charity’s website.

And its helpline faced a surge in calls, with callers praising the partnership for helping to raise awareness.