Understanding more about living with dementia is important at any time and, at this critical time, it is all the more important that we are all able to recognise the challenges faced by those living with dementia and those who care for them.
The isolation of the lockdown has been difficult for all of us, but so much worse when living with dementia, unable to welcome the company of family and friends and helpers which, in normal circumstances, is one of their main lifelines.
In the same way that the lockdown has prevented us playing our usual parts in the village community, bringing about a feeling of being left out of normal life, having dementia can exclude people. It can make it more difficult for them to feel part of the community by limiting what they are able to do and where they feel at ease to go.
There may be other people already living with dementia and managing well, with the help of family and friends. But there are also more who manage, but only just, for example they may lack company they feel at ease with. We need to be aware of how we can do more. That’s why we all need to be fully aware of dementia, to understand its effects and to recognise how we can help and support those living with dementia and those who care for them.
To achieve our aim of working towards a Dementia Friendly Riding Mill our first objective is to encourage the members of our village clubs, organisations and faith groups to become Dementia Friends.
It’s simple, can be done individually or by taking part in a group information session, depending on preference. The session only lasts between 45 minutes to an hour depending on the number and length of discussions or number of participants. Methods are very flexible in view of Covid-19.
If you would like to know more about how to become a Dementia Friend, please look on the village noticeboards or very simply use this link to the Alzheimer’s Society website: https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk/
One small request, if you go on to register as a Dementia Friend, please either give us a call or leave a note of your details in the Parish Hall letter box or in the hall (if open) as we would like to record the growing number of Dementia Friends for our own records.
If you need any help or would like any contact details we can help with, please telephone:
Jan Walmsley
tel: 01434682168 or 07955630802 jwalmsley.bb@gmail.com or
