South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 11/01/2016

Residents in South Gloucestershire who have recently been diagnosed with dementia and their carers or relatives are invited to the ‘Living Well with Dementia’ roadshow on 20 January, 2016.

The event, which is free to attend, will take place from 10.30am until 1.00pm at The Greenfield Centre, Park Avenue, Winterbourne, South Gloucestershire, BS36 1NJ.

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 including a local GP, 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.

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.
“Around 3,000 people in South Gloucestershire have dementia which is predicted to double in the next 30 years. This roadshow is designed to raise awareness of dementia and help reduce the stigma around the condition.”

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 may wish to make arrangements for the future including future care options.
“A dementia 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.”

Previous roadshow participants have said:
“The best part was being made aware that you are not alone.”
“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.”

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 since January last year the CCG has been working with its 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/winterbourne-living-well-with-dementia-roadshow-registration-17062647839?nomo=1 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