Healthline recently finished putting together a collection of the best online Alzheimer's videos. You can find it at: http://healthline.com/health-slideshow/best-videos-alzheimers.

Healthline is a US-based online information resource, which began 10 years ago. For more see: http://www.healthline.com/health/about-healthline

May 21st-27th 2012 was Dementia Awareness Week. David Cameron, UK Prime Minister, pledged on May 26th 2012 a major programme of works to improve the lives of people with dementia. The move comes as part of the UK government's 'National Dementia Challenge', an initiative launched in March 2012 in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Society [see government website]. At a conference in London, the prime minister outlined his dementia challenge to society, and the Alzheimer’s Society published a report, Dementia 2012: A national challenge, which looks at the national healthcare system's shortcomings in coping with the rise in numbers of people with dementia (one-in-three people in the UK is projected to develop dementia, and, already, the cost to the country is an estimated £19 billion a year). Mr Cameron promised initiatives to increase diagnosis rates, to raise awareness and understanding of the condition, and he suggested that would double funding for dementia research to over £66 million each year by 2014/15, with the aim of improving the quality of life of people with the condition. The new government strategy is being led by three bodies: a 'health and care' group, a 'raising awareness' group, and a research group. Each will be co-chaired by two high-profile individuals who will act to convene leaders from across health and social care, industry, and broader society, to support the programme of improvements. Among these co-chairs is Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Society. England is now one of the first countries in the world to have a National Dementia Strategy. For the full government press release:
http://mediacentre.dh.gov.uk/2012/03/26/becoming-world-leader-for-dementia-friendly-society-care-research/

The UK national charity Vitalise, which specialises in providing short respite breaks and other services for people with a physical disability and their carers, has released a video entitled ‘Alzheimer’s carers – in their own words’. The video features a number of carers talking about their experiences of living, coping, and coming to terms with the effects of dementia.

Following the Australian Federal Government's April 20th 2012 announcement that older Australians will no longer be forced to sell their home to pay for their aged care, Council on the Ageing Chief Executive Ian Yates  stated: "The government's announcement today signals the beginning of a new era of care and support for older people and their families. The package also provides greater support for older people to be able to age at home, a plan to tackle dementia, and a 'Compact' to improve pay and conditions for the workers who care for older people".

Alzheimer Scotland mentions that Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities, has confirmed the Scottish government’s guarantee of one year of post-diagnostic support for anyone in Scotland who receives a diagnosis of dementia. The one year of support will be delivered by a named and trained individual, using an approach derived from Alzheimer Scotland's 'five-pillar' model of support:
1. Help to understand the illness, and to manage its symptoms.
2. Support in staying connected to existing social networks in the local community and beyond.
3. Peer support from other people with dementia, and from their families and carers.
4. Help in planning future decision-making in general.
5. And specific support in planning the shape of the individual's future care (from their own  perspective).