Council staff support dementia campaign

Staff from Rochdale Council’s Adult Care Service took part in a dementia awareness session, which aims to give people the skills to spot when somebody might have dementia and know how to help them.

The team, who work with people in their homes to help them stay independent for longer, found out about different types of dementia, symptoms to look out for and how they can help support people with the condition. They also learned about the small things members of the public can do to help people with dementia to help ensure they can continue leading a fulfilling life in their communities for as long as possible.

Assessment officer Louisa Porter said: “As we work in adult care, we have a lot of contact with people with dementia, but it’s always useful to have more understanding in this area, as it’s such an important issue.

“Even when you work in this field, it’s easy to forget when you’re out and about in your personal life. The sessions reminded us that if someone is taking a bit of time on the bus with their change or struggling with their shopping list in the supermarket, you can step in and ask if they need any help.”

Alison Roberts, a dementia support worker from Alzheimer’s Society, who ran the Dementia Friends session, said: “One important thing to remember is that people with dementia can continue to live well in their local community, especially if people are prepared to learn a bit more about the condition and find out as much as they can about how they can be supportive. One positive way of showing support is to become a Dementia Friend and learning how best to step in to help when people with dementia need a bit of extra support.”

Alzheimer’s Society runs a number of services in the Rochdale area to help people with dementia. These include a dementia adviser service which helps people access local support after a diagnosis, a volunteer befriending service to help prevent isolation for people with dementia and a carers information and support programme that helps carers to understand more about the condition and how to meet some of the challenges of caring.

There are also Memory Wellbeing Cafes, which offer social and other activities for people with dementia and their carers, in Milnrow, Rochdale, Middleton and Heywood.

Anyone who would like to find out dates and times for the Memory Wellbeing Cafes, can call 01706 341803.

To find out more about becoming a Dementia Friend, visit www.dementiafriends.org.uk