South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 12/09/2016

Residents in South Gloucestershire who have recently been diagnosed with dementia and their family and friends are invited to a ‘Living Well with Dementia’ roadshow on 27 September.

The event, which is free to attend, will take place from 2pm until 4.30pm at Ridgewood Community Centre, Station Road, Yate, South Gloucestershire, BS37 4AF.

The roadshow will offer practical, emotional and health advice and is intended to provide people with the information they need to understand their diagnosis, find out what support is available to them and learn how to live well with dementia.

During the roadshow, experts will be on hand to answer questions, and attendees will receive a guide to the services and support available. There will also be talks on managing your affairs and the help that’s on offer from Age UK, the Alzheimer’s Society and the Memory Service.

Sue Jaques, Adults Commissioning Manager at South Gloucestershire Council, said: “People with dementia can maintain independence and continue to enjoy their usual activities and occupations, but they should also make arrangements for the future including financial, health and care options.
“A diagnosis can leave the person with dementia and their family with lots of questions about what to expect and what they can do to plan for the future. These roadshows provide useful information to help answer these questions and provide reassurance that you’re not on your own.”

Dr Peter Bagshaw, the Clinical Lead for dementia for South Gloucestershire CCG, said: “Each individual will experience dementia in a different way and experience different symptoms. If somebody thinks they might have dementia, we encourage them to go to their GP as an early diagnosis means that they can start to get the right treatment and support. GPs can signpost to a wide range of support services in the community and offer medication to improve your quality of life.
“This roadshow is designed to raise awareness of dementia and help reduce the stigma around the condition.”

Previous roadshow participants have said:
“The best part was being made aware that you are not alone.”
“The more events like this the better. People don’t know where to go for help and don’t know what to do.”
“The amount of individuals and organisations available to speak to was very encouraging.”
“It was very useful especially as it is all very new to our family.”
“All very helpful and supportive. So much better than when my mother had Alzheimer’s 5 years ago.”

Helping people living with dementia to lead normal, active lives for as long as possible is a high priority for the NHS in South Gloucestershire and the CCG has been working with the Council and other partners via the South Gloucestershire Dementia Action Alliance to help local communities and organisations become more dementia-friendly.

The project aims to make South Gloucestershire a better place for people with dementia and their carers to live, and activities have included public awareness campaigns as well as roadshows and ‘memory cafes’ catering to the needs of people with dementia.

The Living Well with Dementia roadshow is free but places should be booked in advance by using one of the following methods:
Book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/yate-living-well-with-dementia-roadshow-2016-tickets-26679063798 or scan the QR code
Email cchengagement@southglos.gov.uk
Phone 01454 862356.

For more information and details of future roadshows visit www.southglos.gov.uk/dementia