Importance of dementia research highlighted by widow

A woman from Sunderland has spoken of the importance of dementia research at a Conservative Party Conference fringe event.

Invited by the Alzheimer's Research Trust (ART), Alice Phillips took to the stand with government minister Earl Howe to provide an insight into how dementia affects the lives of ordinary people.

Ms Phillips' husband Arthur was diagnosed with early onset dementia and recently died age 65, after nearly 50 years together.

She spoke to delegates about her experience of seeing her husband slowly slip away and expressed her support for dementia research.

"I'll do whatever it takes to help the Alzheimer's Research Trust in its goal to beat dementia. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to share my story at this conference and highlight the reality of Alzheimer's," Ms Phillips told the ART.

According to estimates from the Alzheimer's Society, the number of people in the UK living with dementia is expected to exceed one million by the year 2025.

Find out about dementia care and support services at Barchester care homes.