This April, Numark will be distributing resources to its members on behalf of Alzheimer's Research UK, the UK's leading dementia research charity, in support of Dementia Awareness Week (15-21 May).

With 850,000 people in the UK currently diagnosed with dementia, Numark is encouraging its members to develop a better understanding of the condition.

The resources comprise:

• An 8 page patient leaflet on Alzheimer’s and memory loss x 20
• A ‘postcard’ advertising Alzheimer’s Research UK health information resources x 10
• A3 poster signposting the charity’s health information resources x 1

Hilary Cunningham, Numark information pharmacist and Dementia Friend, said: “As the number of people diagnosed with dementia increases there is a wider opportunity for pharmacists and their teams to provide professional healthcare support for these patients and their carers.

"Dementia Awareness Week would be an ideal time for pharmacies to review their understanding of the symptoms and how they can make their pharmacy more ‘dementia friendly’. Pharmacists and their staff should be alert to regular customers who may start to show the early signs of dementia as early diagnosis is important to enable patients to get the right help and treatment."

Numark is also providing CPD articles via its internal communications which include information on advising patients on reducing dementia risks, communicating with dementia patients and providing support for patients and their carers.