FROM Monday May 19 until Sunday May 25 is Dementia Action Week.
The national initiative is run by the Alzheimer’s Society, which seeks to spread awareness of dementia and improve the lives of those living with it, and their families.
The theme of this year’s action week is Reaching the undiagnosed – that is; encouraging people to come forward who may be concerned about memory or other cognitive issues.
A large number of charities and organisations across the Borough, all of them members of the Dementia Friendly Wokingham initiative, will be attending events during the week.
One of these is Twyford-based charity Understanding Dementia.
Set up by Shirley Pearce in 2018, it aims to promote a clear understanding of dementia, how it affects people and how to lessen its impact on those who live with it.
The charity provides training for care workers, health professionals and family carers in a new and very simple approach that anyone can use.
Lucy White, Understanding Dementia’s marketing, fundraising and training officer, said: “By coming together to mark Dementia Action Week, we and many other organisations hope to speak to lots of carers about the support and resources that are available for them and their loved ones, and also, how they can get a diagnosis for their loved one.”
Of the process of diagnosis, the charity’s founder and lead trainer Shirley Pearce said: “The first step is to approach their GP who can rule out other conditions and then refer to a Memory Clinic.
“A dementia diagnosis opens the door to various services and activities throughout Wokingham for both the person living with it and their carer.
“Our training can help throughout the process, so carers don’t need to wait for a diagnosis to attend our courses.
“We would reassure them that they are not alone”.
As well as Understanding Dementia, other organisations involved during the action week, at events in Wokingham, include: Age UK, the Link Visiting Scheme, Young People with Dementia, and the Wokingham Dementia Care Advisory Service.
The Understanding Dementia team can be found
In Twyford:
Outside Waitrose, on Monday, May 19 from 10.30am until 1.30pm, and
At the library, on Tuesday, May 20 from 10 am until 1 pm.
In Wokingham:
Near the Town Hall, on Wednesday, May 21, from 9am until 3pm, and
At All Saint’s Church, on Thursday, May 22, from 10 am until 2 pm.
At this venue there will be a talk from Wokingham Memory Clinic, seated exercise sessions and refreshments available.
NB: Exact details may change – follow Understanding Dementia’s Facebook page for updates, and visit: understandingdementia.co.uk and
dementiafriendlywokingham.co.uk for more information.
