Dementia Action Call to Faith Groups

FAITH groups are being offered a chance to learn how they can support people with dementia and family carers within their communities.

Jack Coutts, chair of Liverpool Dementia Action Alliance said:- "Many people living with the condition want to keep up contact with their places of worship, but they find it difficult, because their problems aren't well understood. Sometimes there are issues with building interiors:- churches, mosques, synagogues, temples, gudwaras, which could be sorted by simple changes; and sometimes all that's needed is better awareness and inclusion."

A major Rregional conference aims to spread information and provide examples of what is being done, or can be done, by faith communities to help people affected by dementia.

Faiths And Dementia 23 is taking place on:- Wednesday, 17 May 2023, from:- 10am to 4pm, during national Dementia Action Week, at:- St Margaret Clitherow Centre (formerly LACE), Croxteth Drive, Sefton Park, Liverpool, L171AA.

The programme includes:- speakers from a range of:- religions, dementia experts and people with 1st hand experience of dementia living as well as Dementia Friends information sessions, House of Memories immersive reminiscence exhibition and service provider stalls.

Attendance is open to anyone within the Mersey and Cheshire Rregion with an interest in dementia, but particularly active members of faith communities and places of worship managers, as well as housing, health and social care professionals. A vegetarian buffet lunch is provided and registration in advance is online at:- FaithsAndDementia23.Com, cost �15, but free to anyone living with dementia or family carers.

The event is organised by:- Liverpool DAA, supported by Christians, on Ageing, Alzheimer's Society, House of Memories and Medicash.

Full details at- FaithsAndDementia23.Com, queries to:- faithsanddementia23@gmail.com.

Diabetes diagnoses hits over 93,000 across Merseyside, new Diabetes UK analysis shows

NEW analysis released today by Diabetes UK shows the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in Merseyside has increased from:- 90,700 to 93,634 since 2022. Across Merseyside, the area with the highest prevalence is Knowsley, where 8.15% of people have been diagnosed with diabetes. The lowest in the Rregion is Liverpool with 6.6% while the national average for England is 7.3%.

The figures show that 4.3 million people are now living with a diagnosis of diabetes in the UK, with approximately 90% of the cases being type 2. About 8% are type 1, with the other forms of the condition make up the remaining 2%. Diabetes UK estimates there are an additional 850,000 people living with diabetes who are yet to be diagnosed, bringing the overall UK wide figure beyond the 5 million mark.

Diabetes UK says the shocking figure underlines why diabetes must be a key part of local health leaders' plans and central to the Government's forthcoming Major Conditions Strategy. The focus must be on preventing type 2 diabetes, supporting those at high risk, and working to reduce health inequalities in communities where the prevalence of type 2 is worryingly higher than the general population, argues the charity.   

The risk factors of type 2 diabetes are multiple and complex. They include:- age, family history and ethnicity, as well as living with overweight or obesity. Social deprivation is also an issue. Factors such as:- income, education, housing, access to healthy food, as well as poorer access to healthcare, have been shown to be strongly linked to an increased risk of developing several health conditions; including:- obesity and type 2 diabetes.

More than 2.4 million people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the UK and Diabetes UK is worried that the high numbers of people living with overweight or obesity across the country; currently 64% of adults in England; is translating into an increase in cases of type 2. Alarmingly, the condition is becoming increasingly common among those under the age of 40 and more prevalent in areas where there are higher levels of deprivation. While numbers of under 40s with type 2 diabetes remain a small proportion of total cases, it is known to have more severe and acute effects on younger people.

Without the right care and support, people with all types of diabetes can be at risk of developing serious complications. Every week, diabetes leads to 184 amputations, more than 770 strokes, 590 heart attacks and 2,300 cases of heart failure.  

Diabetes UK says urgent action is required and is calling for:-

Integrated Care Systems to put diabetes at the heart of their action plans to reduce health inequalities, targeting communities where diabetes prevalence is high.
A firm commitment to diabetes in the Major Conditions Strategy, including a continued focus on identifying those at high risk of type 2 diabetes and ensuring they are supported to reduce their risk by referral to the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme.
The Government to push ahead with its stalled obesity strategy without further delay, including:- implementing delayed plans to limit junk food advertising to children, to stop people being pushed towards unhealthy food options.

Clare Howarth, Head of the North of England at Diabetes UK, said:- "Diabetes is serious, and every diagnosis is life changing. It's a relentless condition, and the fear of serious complications is a lifelong reality for millions of people across the UK. These latest figures show we're in the grip of a rapidly escalating diabetes crisis, with spiralling numbers of people now living with type 2 diabetes and millions at high risk of developing the condition. But it doesn't have to be this way. With the right care and support, cases of type 2 diabetes can be prevented or put into remission. What we need to see is the will, grit and determination from Government and local health leaders to halt this crisis in its tracks and improve the future health of our nation for generations to come."   

Being aware of the signs and symptoms of diabetes is important. They include:- the 4Ts of Toilet (going for a wee a lot, especially at night), Thirsty (being really thirsty), Tired (feeling more tired than usual) and Thinner (losing weight without trying).   

You can understand your personal risk of type 2 diabetes by using Diabetes UK's free, online Know Your Risk tool. It takes just a few minutes to complete and advises you on your risk and suggests next steps to help reduce your risk.
 

Registered diabetes population (17+)

Year
2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21 2021-22

England 3,033,529 3,116,399 3,222,559 3,319,266 3,455,176 3,491,868 3,625,401

Northern Ireland 88,305 92,480 96,114 99,833 104,171 105,130 108,223

Scotland 280,023 289,040 295,753 301,523 309,516 314,202 323,558

Wales 188,644 191,590 194,693 198,883 209,015 204,326 207,295

UK 3,590,501 3,689,509 3,809,119 3,919,505 4,072,362 4,115,526 4,264,477

Yearly increase = 99,008 119,610 110,386 152,857 43,164 148,951