Dementia Action Week
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain. There are over 200 subtypes and causes of dementia. Dementia is most common over the age of 65 and there are over 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK which is set to rise to over 1 million by 2025.
Dealing with dementia is a huge part of our work at Caremark Mid Sussex & Crawley. Most of our team have completed Dementia Friends training. We have been heavily involved in the ‘Haywards Heath Dementia Friendly Community’ for several years volunteering at Dementia Forums and Town Days.
We volunteer at St Richards Church ‘Memory Moments’ café once a month which is a fantastic place that family members or carers can take someone suffering with dementia. There are regular singers and musicians who step back in time and have everyone up on their feet. The tables are laid with beautiful vintage tablecloths and crockery and delicious homemade cakes!
As part of our ongoing work, we were very keen to be involved in Dementia Action Week 17th – 21ST May and raise money for The Alzheimer’s Society. As part of the activities, we hosted a ‘Denim for Dementia’ day and asked all staff members to wear an item of denim and donate. We raised lots of money for this fantastic cause.
On Friday 21st May despite the wind and rain, our care workers took clients to the ‘Café on the Green’ at The Bay Tree Café. For many of our clients this was the first time they had left their homes in over a year, so everyone was extremely excited. We were spoilt with a lovely afternoon of sandwiches, tea, cake, and conversation.
We are passionate about understanding as much as we can about the condition which in turn will help any of our clients suffering. It can also be hard for family members living with someone with dementia so learning about dementia helps us support the family. We will continue to join the fight against dementia and to raise awareness in our community.