Understanding Dementia
Understanding Dementia
Our latest lunch time session took place at Castle Methodist Church Colchester and featured a talk on Understanding Dementia presented by Sue Barrell and Paul Romans of the Alzheimers Society on June 30 2016. The meeting was well received by an audience of thirty plus people. We were given a broad picture of Dementia and how to recognise it and also to introduce us to Dementia Friends a scheme to encourage greater awareness about the disease. They spoke about five things we should know about dementia.
- It’s not a natural part of ageing
- It’s caused by diseases of the brain.
- It’s not just the loss of memory but can affect thinking, communicating and doing everyday tasks.
- It’s possible to live well with dementia.
- There is so much more to the person than the dementia.
The message of the session was that with support people with dementia can and do take an active role in life.
To become a Dementia Friend there are many things we can do to improve the quality of life for people suffering with dementia. For example simple things like helping a person find the right bus to talking to friends and family about your interest in the subject.
Pledge to make the effort to keep in touch with someone living with dementia.
Volunteer for an organisation that helps people with dementia.
Be prepared to campaign for change through the Alzheimer’s Society for more research into the causes of the disease.
Wear the Friends badge with pride and be prepared to tell up to five friends about the initiative.
For any enquiries please e-mail or phone:
dementiafriends@alzheimers.org.uk phone: 0300 222 58555
