Cllr Paul Donovan on funding for Alzheimer's research

Without wishing to create a hierarchy of suffering, for every pound spent on cancer research, just 31p is spent on dementia.

The subject has jumped up the news agenda recently, with the diagnosis of journalist and former GMTV host, Fiona Phillips, with Alzheimer's.

Her partner, Martin Frizell, has spoken out poignantly about their situation.

The non-recognition, shrinking away, wanting to go back to her childhood. 

Listening to Frizell brought back many of the memories of my father, when he had dementia.

He would suddenly appear in the evening, ready to go home. Explaining that this was his home didn't help. The home he was thinking about was the one he grew up in 80-odd years before in Goodmayes.

Interestingly, Frizell tells how he has learnt to never disagree, but just to go along with the fiction.

Dad was a strong personality - a former headmaster in Newham. Those strong instincts can make for difficult times when dementia strikes.

Cllr Paul Donovan relates to Fiona Philip's Alzheimer's journey (Image: Paul Donovan) His belief that he was right saw him get out of the house, not knowing where he was going. This resulted in us all searching the town to find him. Anything could have happened. 

There were, though, glimpses of the old dad when he had coherent phases. These were precious moments, though sadly, not frequent.

Dad died in 2008, but it sounds as though little has improved since then. 

Martin Frizell was spot on when he said dementia is seen as an old person's disease. The attitude being that sufferers have had a good innings, and all the other platitudes. 

Fiona Philipps is 63, not old, and there are many much younger with the disease.

Frizell claimed little has advanced with Alzheimer's since it was first diagnosed in 1912. There is certainly no prioritisation of the disease, even as it claims more and more victims.

If it were prioritised, with the requisite funding provided, then very real progress can be made.

Frizell has contributed to a book with Fiona Phillips on what has happened. They make some very valid points. 

Let's hope those with the power to address dementia are listening.

Alzheimer's is a growing problem that needs urgent attention, not outdated views on ageing and the relative values of life.

• Paul Donovan is Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward, Redbridge Council and a blogger (paulfdonovan.blogspot.com).