Top Alzheimer’s professor issues stark warning

Joan has more stories to tell...

much of a leap to see how that can affect what’s going on in the hospital wards.

“The other factor is if the economy suffers, it will affect how much money is invested in the NHS. We don’t know what Brexit will look like but I don’t see any upside.”

Prof Ritchie will discuss the impact of Brexit on the country’s A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER with Alzheimer’s who published her first book at 85 has vowed not to let memory loss hold her back – and said there could be more books to come.

Joan Porter hit the headlines last year when children’s stories she wrote down more than 40 years ago were published into a series.

But she told The Sunday Post there are many more tales in her collection – 17 to be precise – and she hasn’t ruled out the idea of putting them into print too.

“Never say never!” Joan, from Bearsden, laughed.

“Well, I’m not getting any younger, so why not? We’ll see what happens.”

The sprightly pensioner admits she’s been “flabbergasted” by the response to the first two Little Terry Tiddlemouse books.

In just six months, more than 500 copies have sold worldwide, as far afield as France, Sweden and the USA – and Joan’s work has even been hailed a best-seller in Australia.

“It’s touching to think that little scribbles I jotted down decades ago are being shared with so many children,” she said.

Joan’s biggest fans are closer to home. Her books take pride of place on the bookshelves of her 11 grandchildren and eight great dementia research at Alzheimer Scotland’s annual conference this Friday when more than 600 delegates and 40 experts from across the world converge in Edinburgh.

“People now recognise that it’s what we do in our mid- life that impacts on issues like heart attacks and we have to put that message out there about dementia, too,” Prof Ritchie explained.

“We set up the PREVENT project five years ago and that will identify mid- life risks for later- life dementia through tests such as brain scans and lumbar punctures.

“We’re about to start looking at the data from the first 210 people and are also planning on recruiting volunteers in Oxford, C a m b r i d ge an d Edinburgh for further research.

“I believe in the next three to five years we are going to understand much better about how dementia

develops.” grandchildren. And Joan admits it’s proving a great way to keep her mind active.

She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2012 but refuses to let it stop her living her life.

Since the book release, Joan has become an ambassador for Alzheimer’s.

She delivered a keynote speech, educating psychology students at St Andrew’s University about living with dementia.

Joan’s family will complete the 96-mile West Highland Way this weekend to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Scotland.

To support the Jaunt for Joan, visit justgiving.com/ fundraising/ajauntforjoan