On 15th March Karen hosted an Alzeihmer's Society Dementia Friends Session in Leek. Led by local Dementia Friends Champion Will Boyce, everyone who came along learned about the medical effects of dementia and discovered techniques they could use to help family or friends suffering with the disease.
Karen said:
"Whatever we think, dementia is a condition that affects us all. I cannot think of a family who has not been affected and as we live longer it will affect more of us. It’s a disease that shows no regard for wealth, health or anything else.
"There is currently no cure – and there may never be. However, a diagnosis of dementia whether a form of Alzheimer’s, Huntingdon’s, vascular dementia or other, should not be seen as the end."
Everyone at the session had a personal interest in one way or another and all learned something new about dementia. Will explianed how it is perfectly possible to live well with dementia – but loved ones and others need to know what to do to help.
Karen added:
"Having attended debates in Parliament and met those working to raise awareness of the disease both locally and nationally I was keen to organise a session like this to bring the benefit of expert experience to as many in the Moorlands as possible.
"Will led the session wonderfully well. He explained how to help people revive solid, long term memories which provide help and comfort to sufferers. I felt by the end of the session that I had many more practical, simple ideas of how to help.
"It was heart warming to hear some wonderful stories from Will and other attendees – all of whom are now Dementia Friends themselves – about those moments when a long lost memory was found. Using favourite music, photographs or objects, people told about how they saw their loved one return to their old self – even for a short time – and how important that was to all."
Karen is planning another session soon in Biddulph.