14/05/2015 - Permalink

Shropshire hosts a wealth of events to mark Dementia Awareness Week

Related topics: Community / Health

As part of this year’s national Dementia Awareness Week (Sunday 17 May to Saturday 23 May 2015), Shropshire Council along with a host of public, health, voluntary and community organisations will be highlighting the services and support they offer to help enhance the life of those with dementia and their carers and family.

Throughout the week there will be a series of free events which include:

  • Date: Friday 15 May
    Venue: Helena Lane, Ludlow

Time: 1pm to 4pm – Dementia Awareness afternoon, including Dementia Friends training from the Alzheimers Society.

  • Dates: Friday 15 May and Thursday 4 June

Venue: Helena Lane, Ludlow

Time: 2pm to 4pm – a special “Songs for You” session.

  •  Date: Saturday 16 May
    Venue: Bridgnorth Library

Time: 11am to 12pm – Dementia Friends information drop-in at Bridgnorth Library.

  •  Date: Monday 18 May

Venue: The Square, Shrewsbury

Time: 9.30am to 3.30pm – library staff, along with many other organisations, will be supporting the Alzheimer’s Society’s ‘Dementia Day in The Square’ in Shrewsbury. People can find out how their organisation can become dementia-friendly, talk to Shropshire Dementia Action Alliance members as well as finding out how to get help and support.

  • Date: Wednesday 20 May

Venue: Church Stretton Library

Time: 7pm – author Gillian Griffith will be talking about her book “Up the Creek Without a Paddle” which describes her family’s experience of Dementia.

Venue: Bishop’s Castle Library

Time: 10am to 1pm – dementia-friendly teatimes with refreshments and reminiscence activities, hosted by Shropshire’s Alzheimer’s Society.

Venue: Robert Jones and Agnus Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital.

Time: 10am to 3pm – there will be a stand in the foyer between these times.

Venue: Uplands Care Home, Shrewsbury.

Time: 10am to 4pm – Bluebird Care Dementia Day.

  •   Date: Thursday 21 May

Venue: Bridgnorth Library

Time: 9.30am to 4.30pm – dementia drop-in session where people can talk to an Alzheimer’s Society support worker.

  • Date: Friday 22 May

Venue: Albrighton Library

Time: 10am to 12pm – Dementia-friendly teatimes with refreshments and reminiscence activities, hosted by Shropshire’s Alzheimer’s Society.

  • Date: Thursday 4 June
    Venue: Shifnal Library

Time: 3pm to 4pm – dementia-friendly teatimes with refreshments and reminiscence activities. On Friday 17 July there will also be a dementia workshop for carers at the Uplands, Shrewsbury.

 
In addition to these events, Dementia Awareness Week also encourages people to become a Dementia Friend and “Do Something New”, whether that be entering a race, becoming a volunteer or simply baking a cake.

There were 4,814 people diagnosed with dementia in Shropshire in 2014. This is estimated to rise to 6,620 in 2021. As a member of the Dementia Action Alliance, Shropshire Council is committed to improving the lives of individuals living with dementia, and their carers and to create a more ‘dementia-friendly’ county.

Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, and Chair of Shropshire’s Health and Well-being Board, said:

“Dementia is a key priority for Shropshire’s Health and Well-Being Board. One in three of us over the age of 65 will develop dementia, an incredibly high statistic, so it is really encouraging to see many of our services and partners coming together in support of such an important issue.

“I would urge as many people as possible to come along to Shropshire’s dementia events to find out more about the support available, become a ‘dementia friend’ or to try out and ‘do something new’.”

Lee Chapman, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult services – transformation and safeguarding, said:

“There is a raft of support on offer to ensure that people can live well with dementia in their communities for as long as possible. It’s something we are really committed to. I’m pleased to see these being highlighted as part of the awareness week.”

Dianne Beaumont, Service Manager for Alzheimer’s Society, added:

“There are lots of ways in which we can help people with dementia to keep on doing the things that they love.  This Dementia Awareness Week gives us a great opportunity to showcase them by bringing organisations together in one event. We are doing everything we can to keep people connected to their lives and to the people who matter most – because life doesn’t end when dementia begins.”

For more information about dementia support contact Shropshire’s Alzheimers Society on 01743 341800 or visit their website at click here.

For information about the national Dementia Awareness Day 2015 visit http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/remembertheperson. To find out how to become a dementia friend go to www.dementiafriends.org.uk.

For more information on Dementia events in libraries, contact Mirka Duxberry on 01743 255031 or email mirka.duxberry@shropshire.gov.uk. Further details can be found at shropshire.gov.uk/libraries.

Please keep an eye on twitter @livelifeyourway, @ShropTogether and @shropcouncil #DAW2015 #DoSomethingNew for updates and further information throughout the week.