Wolverhampton will be United Against Dementia at a special event to mark national Dementia Awareness Week next month (May).

It is estimated that around 3,300 adults in Wolverhampton aged 65 and over have dementia - some 1,230 men and 2,070 women - while approximately 60 adults aged between 30 to 64 have early onset dementia.

The free awareness event at the Bob Jones Community Hub in Blakenhall on Monday 15 May will highlight the support available locally to people living with dementia, as well as the help which is on hand for their families, friends and carers.

There will be opportunities to meet service providers, find out about how Telecare assistive technology can help people live longer in their own homes, and learn how you or your organisation can join Wolverhampton's Dementia Action Alliance.

Individuals and organisations can also find out about becoming Dementia Friends or Dementia Friendly Organisations, while members of the City of Wolverhampton Council's Welfare Rights Team will be on hand to discuss benefit entitlements.

Councillor Sandra Samuels OBE, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Adult Services, said: "Dementia is a debilitating condition which affects nearly a million people in the UK, including around 3,400 residents of Wolverhampton.

"The council and our partners are determined to do all we can to improve the lives of people living with dementia, and the lives of their families and carers, by making Wolverhampton as dementia friendly as possible, and ensuring people have access to help and support wherever possible.

"This free event is an opportunity to find out more about the help and support which is available locally, meet service providers, hear from people living with this condition and for us as a City to unite against dementia."

United Against Dementia is being organised by the City of Wolverhampton Council and the Alzheimer's Society and takes place at the Bob Jones Community Hub, Bromley Street, Blakenhall, from 10am until 1pm on Monday 15 May. Entry is free, but places should be reserved in advance by calling 01902 551734.

Dementia Awareness Week takes place from 14 to 20 May, 2017. There are several events taking place across the City. Please see the attached schedule.

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe many different types of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's Disease, Vascular Dementia and Dementia with Lewy bodies.

Cases of dementia increase with age It can affect anyone, and causes a decline in a person's cognitive abilities, affecting their memory, language, understanding, reasoning, problem solving and concentration. Each person's dementia is unique and so affects their lives in very different ways.

For more information about dementia, please visit Type=links;Linkid=3328;Title=Alzheimer's Society;Target=_blank;.  For more details of the support available locally, please visit Type=articles;Articleid=6893;Title=Dementia;.

  • released: Friday 28 April, 2017