Raising dementia awareness
On the first day of Dementia Action Week, we were delighted to welcome Alzheimer's Society community development co-ordinator Carol Bowsher, who is leading a series of Dementia Friends awareness-raising sessions at public sites across the BCHC estate throughout the week.
Colleagues, patients, relatives and carers are all welcome to attend the sessions of 45-60 minutes, in which they are given helpful advice and resources about caring for people with dementia and encouraged to sign up as Dementia Friends.
Vulnerabilities clinical specialist nurse Natalie Wilson said: "The focus of Dementia Action Week this year is early diagnosis - increasing awareness of signs and symptoms and improving understanding, not only of the needs of people with dementia, but also the families and friends who support them.
"For us, as caring professionals in an NHS organisation where many of our patients have dementia in addition to their primary diagnosis, that means creating a therapeutic environment that, as far as possible, caters for their personal needs."
Further sessions this week as follows:
- Wed, 21 May 11am and 1pm: training room, West Heath Hospital and ASR divisional management room, Moseley Hall Hospital.
- Wed 28 May 2-3pm: Kenrick Centre
- Thurs, 29 May midday: East Therapy Hub, Washwood Heath.
A dementia diagnosis is vital to give people access to care, treatment and support. Yet at least one in three people with dementia in the UK do not have a diagnosis.
The cost of not getting a diagnosis is hundreds of thousands of people not getting the help and support they need.
97 per cent of people affected by dementia saw the benefit of getting a diagnosis.
If you’re worried about yourself or someone close to you, use our symptoms checklist to help you discuss your concerns with a GP or health professional. Visit alzheimers.org.uk/checklist.
For Support call 0333 150 3456.