Dementia affects nearly a million people in the UK, including approximately 3,600 in Wolverhampton.
Dementia Action Week, organised by the Alzheimer’s Society and supported by the City of Wolverhampton Council and other members of Wolverhampton Dementia Action Alliance, is an opportunity to raise awareness of the help and support available to people living with dementia, and their families and carers.
The African Caribbean Community Initiative (ACCI), Alzheimer's Society, the council and Healthwatch Wolverhampton will be holding a 'Let's Talk About Dementia' event including interactive workshops, music and exercise, at the Church of God Prophecy tomorrow (Tuesday) from 11am to 3pm - for details, call 01902 571230 or email carers@acci.org.uk.
The council's Public Protection Team, with colleagues from the Carer Support Team, the Dementia Action Alliance, Wolves Foundation and ACCI, will be at Bilston Indoor Market on Thursday from 10am to 1pm offering information and advice.
Memory Matters will have 2 phone in sessions offering one-to-one advice and information to individuals, families and carers who have memory concerns. These will take place tomorrow (Tuesday) from 1.30pm until 4pm and Wednesday (21 May), also 1.30pm to 4pm. Please call 01902 551852.
Meanwhile, the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust's Admiral Nursing Team and the Alzheimer's Society will be hosting a series of webinars aimed at professionals and covering 5 different themes, Preventing Well, Diagnosing Well, Supporting Well, Living Well and Dying Well. To book places, visit Black Country Healthcare - Dementia Action Week Webinars.
Jon Crockett, Chair of Wolverhampton Dementia Action Alliance, said: “Dementia Action Week is showing once again the range of organisations across the city who are working together to make a difference for those people living with dementia, their families and carers.
“I’m proud of all those people across Wolverhampton taking the opportunity to help people to understand more about dementia and what they can do to help people living with dementia. It is estimated that 1 in 3 people born in the UK today will be diagnosed with dementia in their lifetime and it remains the commitment of everyone in the Dementia Action Alliance to make Wolverhampton a dementia friendly city.
“Dementia Action Week gives us the opportunity to showcase the many organisations who are working hard to make that ambition a reality.”
Councillor Paula Brookfield, the council's Cabinet Member for Adults, added: "Dementia Action Week enables us to highlight the support available to people living with this debilitating condition, and their families and friends.
"We would also like to encourage more people in Wolverhampton to become a Dementia Friend so you better understand the needs of people living with dementia and can do your bit to help them. You can do this online by visiting Dementia Friends.”
People who are worried about dementia can contact the Alzheimer's Society for information and support either via the National Dementia Helpline on 0333 150 3456 or by visiting Alzheimer's Society. For more information about the help and support available locally, please visit Dementia.
The Dementia Action Alliance brings together a range of local organisations which want to make Wolverhampton more dementia friendly, including businesses, emergency services, religious groups and education providers. For more information, please visit Dementia.
