Making friends during Dementia Awareness Week
IN 2015 there will be 850,000 people
with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to 1 million by 2025.
Riverside housing association alongside organisations including the Alzheimer's
Society, is raising awareness and understanding of dementia, with our housing
and support services enabling people to 'live vibrant lives'
despite the
degenerative condition.
As part of Dementia Awareness Week 2015 (17 May to 23 May 2015), Riverside is
creating a Dementia Friends support group at Crescent Court, Liverpool and a
Dementia Reminiscence Pod at Hawthorne Court and West Park.
The Crescent Court Centre, is currently home to 60 retired men and women, offers
safe, but independent living with a 24 hour helpline and Scheme Manger onsite.
Kim Weldon, Riverside's Scheme Manager and a Dementia Champion for the
Alzheimer's Society said:- "At Crescent Court we have numerous activities
going on, during Dementia Awareness Week, to keep people active and to reduce
isolation. We have bingo's, quizzes, darts, pool, coffee and toasties morning,
Naafi breaks, gardening, card making, hairdressing and much more."
Dementia describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss and
difficulties with thinking, problem solving or language. Dementia is caused when
the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or a series of
strokes. Within the UK's rapidly ageing population Dementia is becoming an
increasingly prevalent issue.
Kim goes on to say:- "it feels good raising awareness during Dementia
Awareness Week of such a cruel disease and helping to change the stigma
attached. So far we have made 19 'Dementia Friends' and have helped our tenants
have a basic understanding of Dementia and where to obtain further support and
guidance. It is possible to live well with Dementia."
Riverside also operates Dementia friendly services at its Hawthorne Court
Scheme, including a vintage kitchen reminiscence pod which is a pop up replica
of a 1930s kitchen and a monthly community café.
Sue Fairly, also a Dementia Friend and the Hawthorne Court Scheme Manager said:-
"We see over 30 people at our café and the reminiscence pod is a great
talking point. For Dementia Awareness Week I will be taking the pod to West Park
in Southport on the 28th May for Dementia Awareness Week were I will be
delivering a small information session to the tenants there."
Each year, Riverside provides support for more than 4,000 people aged over 55,
delivered to more than 3,000 people within its specialist housing centres. Its
extra care housing gives older people with care needs the ability to access
innovative, high quality and flexible service provision.
