People will be able to share their experiences and find out more about dementia when Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust’s Dementia Care Academy holds two events  to help highlight the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Awareness Week™, 19-25 May 2013.

On Monday, 20 May, The Trust –  in partnership with Ipswich County Library Services – will be hosting an event at Ipswich County Library from 10am-1pm and, on Friday, 24 May, it will be holding an open day at the Norfolk Dementia Care Academy, at Hammerton Court, Julian Hospital, Bowthorpe Road, Norwich, from 10am-2pm.

Representatives from NHS dementia research, the Alzheimer’s Society, Home Instead Senior Care, Age UK and other organisations will be participating in the  events offering information, advice and activities for people to participate in.

The Academy hopes that people from all walks of life, whether they have dementia, are worried that they may have dementia, provide care for or support a family member or friend with dementia, work in a care setting or would simply like to know more about dementia will come along to one of the events.

Mary Aldridge, Lead Dementia Educationalist for the Academy, said: “We are really pleased to be celebrating national Dementia Awareness Week™ in Ipswich and Norwich and invite people to drop in or stay and join us for each of the activities we will be offering.”

Both days will offer opportunities to take part in Dementia Awareness and Cognitive Stimulation Therapy taster sessions. There will be a screening of a short film called ‘Remember Me’ produced by Nudge Productions, which provides a touching insight into the journey of a mother and daughter and their changing roles and experiences as dementia affects their lives.

The Alzheimer’s Society and Home Instead Senior Care will also be providing sessions to help people learn more about dementia and caring for those with dementia.

In addition at the Hammerton Court open day, there will be a preview of the Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance’s new website – The Learning Location – a single point of access to training and learning resources in dementia care.

Complementary therapies will be on offer throughout both days.

In addition to the public events in Ipswich and Norwich, the Dementia Care Academy will be providing Dementia Awareness taster sessions to colleagues within the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, James Paget University Hospital, Gorleston and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn.

Anyone wanting more information about either event should contact the Norfolk Dementia Care Academy on 01603 887019 or email [email protected].

Notes:

Estimates suggest that the number of people with dementia in Norfolk will rise from around 13,200 in 2010 to over 20,6000 in 2025, with as many as 60% thought to have the disease but not having been diagnosed (Norfolk and Suffolk Dementia Alliance 2011).

There are currently over 12,000 thousand people living with dementia in Suffolk (Alzheimer’s Society 2013).

 

Cantor’s Theatre School