Please help us explore:
· how dementia friendly villages are in this community area
· examples of local dementia friendly activities and groups
· the challenges involved in encouraging more people living with dementia to attend local events, and groups
· how we can all work better together to overcome those challenges and achieve more for people living with dementia
Presenters so far confirmed:
Minutes:
Karen Linaker, Community Engagement Manager introduced the themed item and explained that the Board wished to explore what was currently available in terms of dementia friendly provision in the community area.
Speakers from local groups were in attendance to share examples of local activities provided by their group, and the challenges involved in encouraging more people living with dementia to attend.
The aim of the item was to look at ways to work better together to overcome those challenges and achieve more for people living with dementia.
Babs Harris, Chief Executive – Alzheimers Support Wiltshire
We run services across the whole county, where we support people in their own homes as well as in organised groups. We are sponsored equally by the NHS and Wiltshire Council.
The GPs make referrals to our Dementia advisors. When a referral comes in, we call the person within three days and make an appointment to go and visit them in their own home. Sometimes we are told that there is a support network in place, a spouse or family members. We usually check back in 6 months, as quite often the picture has changed. At that point we can point the person to the right resources.
Our three individual day clubs are our flagships. There will also be one in Salisbury in Scotts Lane before the end of the year. Every day is governed by what the users want to do. We have many community activities.
We did carry out a gap analysis and thought the area was covered, however we are happy to come and put something on if a gap is identified.
We have also worked with Laverstock Memory group for many years.
We have a one to one home support service. Matching people with dementia to something that interests them most.
Elizabeth Bartlett – Laverstock Memory Group
Alan and Judy were group members. They spoke about the benefits of attending the group to themselves.
Alan explained that he had been diagnosed 10 years ago. One thing he enjoyed about the sessions at Elizabeth’s house was that there were about 10 people in the group, all with the same condition. He explained that you learn to live with dementia, but that one of the changes was that you lose your driving license. Suddenly when that happens, the difficulty that presents.
The carer is vitally important and the effect on that person needs equal consideration as the person living with dementia. The couple of hours I get to spend in my group are the only 2 hours a week I get to spend without my wife.
I have concerns that my wife is trying too hard to look after me, and my wife gets to spend two hours with the other carers each week which is valuable.
Judy was a nurse and had moved to the village. Her daughter was then transferred out of the area, which left her with no one. The GP referred her to the group and since then it has made a big difference. Since she started attending the group she feels better about having dementia.
It is useful to hear the voices of people that live with dementia.
Jeremy Parsons – Downton & Barford Day Centre
Jeremy looks after the day centre which began in 1980 with 25 attendees. We set out to provide care and company to people living on their own, not solely those living with dementia. The Day centre had found that more and more of their members did have dementia, with some members coming to them as referrals from the GP. Part of the offer was to provide a good lunch and a sherry.
Julia Whitmarsh – Downton Good Companions
Julie was part of a committee that ran the group. The session was on a Tuesday afternoon for 2 hours a week.
Attendees play card games or scrabble. We had a visit from a member of the Yetis who came to entertain the group. At Christmas there were carols and in January there was a visit from the primary school to help the Group to celebrate its birthday. Other activities included organised outings. Members are those that live alone, the majority did not have dementia.
John Matthews – Downton Link
The Downton link was one branch of a network of 43 link schemes across Wiltshire. Due to ill health, mental or physical, or loss of a partner, the use of a vehicle can be lost. This is where the link scheme was able to step in.
There to support vulnerable and elderly for who public transport was not an option. Those involved with the Link were volunteers and the scheme received no public funding and relied on donations from its clients.
We would like to hear from anyone that would be interested in becoming a volunteer driver. Currently only two of our clients have dementia.
The chairman thanked everyone who had spoken. The challenge for the Board would be to try and work out how it could best support these different groups and activities, or to maybe bring different groups together for their mutual support.