AN educational campaign about dementia has been given the backing of an East Midlands charity boss.

The Alzheimer's Society is supporting the Government's Living Well advertising campaign, in which dementia patients declare "I have dementia – I also have a life".

The aim is to educate people about helping and respecting people with the condition, which affects about 12,000 people in Derbyshire.

Ian Howarth, the Alzheimer's Society's regional manager, said: "People with dementia tell us that, after being diagnosed, others begin to act differently towards them.

"We are delighted to support this first step to tackling any fear and misunderstanding."