Suffolk Libraries will be working in partnership with Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust and Alzheimer’s Society to support Dementia Awareness Week from 19 to 25 May 2013.
Dementia Awareness Week is Alzheimer’s Society’s annual flagship awareness-raising campaign. It will take place from 19-25 May 2013 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The theme for this year’s Dementia Awareness Week is talking. People are living longer which means everyone is facing a higher risk of one day developing dementia. The more people know about dementia the more prepared they are to face it. Dementia Awareness Weeks aims to get people talking and to provide them with information about recognising the signs and how to cope if they or a loved one develops dementia.
On Monday 20 May, Ipswich County Library in Northgate Street will be hosting an awareness and information event in the Lecture Hall from 10am to 1pm. The day will include information, presentations and a chance to talk to people from the key organisations who can help anyone affected by dementia.
The event will include the following sessions:
Sue Vincent, an Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends Champion in Suffolk, will run a Dementia Friends information/awareness session from 10.30am – 11.15am.
From 12noon to 12.45pm a DVD commissioned by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust called ‘Remember Me’, will be screened. This is a film which gives a touching insight into the journey of a mother and daughter and their changing roles and experiences as dementia affects their lives.
There will be Cognitive Stimulation Therapy taster sessions from 10.30am – 11am, 11.15am – 11.45am and 12noon – 12.30pm. There will also be representatives from Suffolk Mind, Age UK Suffolk, Home Instead, The Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network, the Suffolk DIST (Dementia Intensive Support Team) who visitors can chat to throughout the day
David Grimmer, Suffolk Libraries’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, said: “Suffolk Libraries are keen to support Dementia Awareness Week as we know dementia affects many people and their families. Many people don’t know who to turn to for help or advice so events like this will help to bring key organisations together so people can come along and find out what support is out there for them.”
Sue Vincent from Alzheimer’s Society said: “As the population ages, we all face the risk of one day developing dementia. The more we know about the condition, the more prepared we’ll be to face it. The events we are holding across Suffolk during Dementia Awareness Week are a great opportunity find out more, talk to us, and join the conversation that everyone’s talking about.”
Haverhill Library will also be getting involved in Dementia Awareness Week by providing information displays. There are also four permanent Alzheimer’s Society information displays at Ipswich, Felixstowe, Stowmarket and Woodbridge libraries.
Facts about dementia:
- There are currently 800,000 people with dementia in the UK and there will be over a million by 2021.
- There are around 12,000 people with dementia in Suffolk
- One third of people over 95 have dementia
- 60,000 deaths a year are directly attributable to dementia.
- There are 670,000 carers of people with dementia in the UK
- 80% of people living in care homes have a form of dementia or severe memory problems.
- Only 44% of people with dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland receive a diagnosis
For more information about dementia visit www.alzheimers.org.uk or call Alzheimer’s Society National Dementia Helpline number 0300 2221122.
