Guideposts Trust Charity Shop, Monday 21 May 2012, 11.00am –3.00pm 

33 High Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5BB 

for the start of:

Dementia Awareness Week

There will be a special workshop to help you navigate around Dementia web Gloucestershire, get information you need, meet with like-minded people, plus the opportunity to browse around the shop and enjoy tea and biscuits.

`dementia adventure’

I attended an event put together by Young Dementia UK on Tuesday 15 May, the Young Dementia UK staff gave a very warm welcome and I had the opportunity of speaking with Tessa Gutteridge, the Director of this brilliant organisation, her enthusiasm is catching!

The setting was stunning as it took place at Buscot Park in Faringdon, Oxon and the speaker Neil Mapes, Director of `dementia adventure’ was truly inspiring. Neil spoke about the organisation he and his wife have built up providing high quality adventures ranging from short park walks to international holidays and bespoke group breaks. Neil, through a series of short films, was able to demonstrate just how much these outdoor activities make a difference to the people that take part in them.  Having grown up with three grandparents who had dementia, Neil is only too aware of the restrictions placed on people with dementia and the isolation that causes. Do have a look at the website, the benefits of going on one of these trips are numerous, most importantly it will lift your spirit, give you a sense of friendship, working as a team and a sense of belonging. www.dementiaadventure.co.uk

Support really is at hand 24 hours a day, you can phone at any time, your calls will be taken by qualified staff and you can rest assured that confidentiality is paramount. You don’t even have to give your name.

0845 1204048

If you have concerns about Alzheimer’s disease or about any other form of dementia, the 24 hour dementia helpline can provide emotional support and information on different services and support that you can access.

Memory Club

Recently I had a very interesting conversation with Val McKay, her enthusiasm and love for her work was infectious and a delight to hear. As a carer herself Val understands the range of feelings a carer can experience and with this in mind she has been instrumental in setting up Memory Clubs in the following areas: South Cotswolds, Bourton-on-the-Water, Moreton-in-the-Marsh, Stow-on-the-Wold and Lechlade. These clubs provide an opportunity to meet other people in a similar situation, to swap ideas and to take part in a variety of activities.

If you would like to know more, please contact Val McKay on: 01451 810637.

Two-day residential workshops

17-18 May 2012 – Cranage Hall near Crewe;

5-6 September 2012 – Alexandra House near Swindon

There is increasing evidence that the environment of care, particularly in acute hospitals, can have a significant effect on people who have dementia. Yet health professionals and estates and facilities staff often struggle with how best to create a therapeutic environment for people with dementia.

The King’s Fund’s award-winning Enhancing the Healing Environment programme proves that straightforward and inexpensive changes to the design and fabric of the care environment can have a considerable impact on the wellbeing of people with dementia, while at the same time reducing overall service costs.

Details can be viewed here. www.kingsfund.org.uk/eheevents

Training.

Positive caring is a free programme of sessions for people who care for a relative, friend, neighbour or disabled child. The weekly sessions give the opportunity to meet with other cares and gain and share knowledge and information.

Topics include:

• Health and well-being
• How to access services
• Emotions and stress
• Practicalities of caring
• Finance and resources
• How we juggle caring with other demands

The next programme of 6 sessions starts on Wednesday 2^nd May at: The Old School, Highnam Community Centre, Newent Road, Highnam, GL2 8DG from 10.30am to 1.00pm. Help is available for replacement care and transport.

Please call 01452 500885/426254 to find out more or book a place.

You may like to read the results from the New England Journal of Medicine….

For details on the procedure used for the clinical trials read…

Do you live in or close to Tetbury, are you caring for someone with Dementia?

Tetbury Wellbeing Team, supported by Tetbury Hospital are proposing to set up a Memory Café for Tetbury and the surrounding rural villages.

This Memory Café can be a social and support group tailored to individuals needs, including that of the carers. To help them plan this proposal they need to know the number of people who would be interested.

This facility really would be an asset to the community so, to register your interest please contact 01666 501773 or if you have access to a Tetbury Advertiser turn to page 34 where you will find more details and a reply slip.

Free Training Sessions

Carers Gloucestershire and Managing Memory ²gether are providing free training sessions. The information given will help the person with dementia and family and friends. It also gives the opportunity of meeting other people in a similar situation to you, making friends and swapping ideas. There is bound to be a session taking place close to you. Have a look at the following venues; for more details or to book places call 0800 694 8800 or email: managingmemory@glos.nhs.uk

8th March 10.30am – 12.30pm, Stonehouse Community Centre 

13th March 7.00 – 9.00pm, Weavers Croft, Stroud 

14th March 2.00 – 4.00pm, Tewkesbury Day Centre

15th March 10.30am – 12.30pm, Stonehouse Community Centre 

16th March 10.30am – 12.30pm, Charlton Lane Centre, Charlton Lane, Cheltenham 

20th March 7.00 – 9.00pm, Weavers Croft, Stroud 

22nd March 10.30am – 12.30pm, Stonehouse Community Centre 

All these sessions are for people who are worried about memory. Living with Dementia Part 1 and Part 2 are for people with early stage Dementia and for family and friends that support them. All other sessions are for family and friends that support someone with dementia. Help is available to cover travel costs.

Try to make sure you have your 5 a day, almost all fruit and vegetables count towards your 5 a day – they form part of a healthy, balanced diet. The 5 a day, together with whole grains, fish and unsaturated fat such as olive oil will ensure healthy eating. Dairy products and meat should be limited as they are high in saturated fat, which could cause narrowing of the arteries. Try to cut down on your salt intake, 75% of the salt we eat is already in the food we buy. Look for low salt versions of pre-prepared food; drink plenty of water each day.

Keeping  Active

It is important to keep active, try to stay involved with everyday activities e.g. housework, gardening and washing. Continue with sport that you are involved with at present e.g. the gym, running, swimming – get a good friend to go with you if you are apprehensive. The exercise you do doesn’t have to be strenuous, walking and dancing are brilliant ways to keep active and enjoy yourself. Go to quizzes, join an art group, it is so relaxing. Take up a craft, read, listen to music, go to the cinema – these are all activities that will keep you stimulated.

Keep in Touch

Make sure you still visit your friends and family – let them come to you too. Talk about things you want to do, places you want to go and encourage their help and support.

Events

GL11 Community Project held their first lunch on Thursday 2 February, it was well attended and everyone had a good time. The food was brilliant and the event provided an opportunity for people to get out, meet old friends and make new ones. In fact it proved to be so successful that GL11 have decided to make it a regular event.

The lunches will be held on the first Thursday of each month from 12pm-2pm at GL11 Community Project, Fairmead, Cam. The cost of the meal is: Lunch £3.75 and Dessert £1.25. Booking is essential, contact: 01453 548530. 

Make sure you book in plenty of time so you don’t miss out.

Age UK wants to collect 100,000 signatures and you can add your name to their petition right now:  The Government has promised a White Paper on care reform in the spring. This is a crucial moment to influence the future direction of social care – possibly for a generation.

Managing Memory 2gether Information and Education Service

They now have new dates for the spring for their training session, so click on the word education for all the details. The aim of these sessions is to provide information and support to people affected by dementia or who are worried about memory. If you prefer to speak with someone to find out more contact: 0800 694 8800.