Keeping physically and socially active has real benefits for people living with dementia and their families and carers: just ask Shirley from the Eden Valley who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease 15 months ago. She attends a number of activities around the area to get her out of the house, including the Appleby Memory Club. “It is a place I can feel safe and be myself. I can relax and enjoy the company. I’ve lost my husband, so coming here I can get social interaction and be part of things. It’s good to meet other people who have been diagnosed.”
Staying active is one of the key messages at a free and fun drop-in event in Penrith this month which will offer everything from fitness activities to music and a Dementia Friends information session.
The Eden Dementia Friendly Communities Partnership is staging the event at Penrith Leisure Centre on May 22nd as part of Dementia Action Week.
The event is for people with dementia and their carers and families, people like Ann, whose husband Ken is now in a care home. Ann still goes to activities because of the friendships she made there. “I got a lot out of it, just meeting up with other carers, and discussing our problems. I can ring any of them up at any time I'm feeling like I need a bit of support, because I do need support.”
There will be information and talks about local services, activities and support, creative and fitness activities, live music and singing, and a musical memories café.
Amongst the musical highlights will be a performance by the Morland Ukulele Group, and a Music for Dignity session with the Sunbeams Music Trust. Physical activities include playing bowls, Fitbeats drumming and a Fit4All exercise class.
As well as promoting the benefits of keeping physically and socially active for longer, the Partnership wants to raise awareness of dementia risk factors, prevention and spotting early signs of dementia.
It’s not just for people with a dementia diagnosis, their carers and families: the Alzheimer's Society’s local Dementia Ambassador will run a Dementia Friends Information session for individuals, services and businesses interested in learning about what it's like to live with dementia and the small actions you can take to support people living with the condition. Everyone who attends will earn an Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends badge.
Councillor Patricia Bell, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Care at Westmorland and Furness Council, said: “We know that one in three people in the UK will develop dementia in their lifetime, so this event is a wonderful opportunity not only for those experiencing dementia now, but for everyone to learn how we can all help to make create a dementia-friendly society.”
The Eden Dementia Friendly Communities Partnership brings together local charities, community and faith groups, health services, local councils and businesses. One of the partners, Maria Day of the Alzheimer’s Society wants to see the whole area being truly dementia-friendly. “We want to make sure local communities are more inclusive, not just with tailored support services, but those general supports that have that raised awareness of how to meet needs of carers, and people with a diagnosis of dementia.”
To find out more about the event and reserve a place on the Dementia Friends Information session, visit https://bit.ly/3SaQbQe or email the Eden Dementia Friendly Communities Partnership at eden.areasupport@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk