I think that to most people, who have no experience of AD and dementia, it just means that the person has become forgetful. I was at a quiz, when someone at the table made a joke about being forgetful, so was getting AD - I was not amused. I quietly let him know later in the evening!!
The root of the problem is lack of information to all people - I admit, I knew little about AD until my husband was diagnosed, and then I thought it wasn't going to be like that for us; it is!!
All the time people are under the impression that AD means that you become forgetful, it will be seen as a social problem. It is only when they become aggressive through frustration or agitation, that it is seen as a health issue, and then people run round like headless chickens. (I know there are many other aspects too, that qualify as a health issue)
Most TV programmes sanitise the effects of AD, and while it is a step forward for it to be actually acknowledged, until the full impact is shown and people are made aware of all the issues surrounding AD, it will always be a social issue.
This has turned into my rant now. Sorry.
Jan