Dementia roadshow to families in need
FAMILIES and people affected by dementia in Drogheda are urged not to miss The Dementia Roadshow – a one-day event aimed at removing stigmas in the community and elevating people’s knowledge of the condition.
The free Roadshow takes place on Tuesday September 27 between 10am-2pm at The Marshes Shopping Centre Dundalk, and will feature information on training and awareness programmes, local resources and vital support initiatives for carers.
There will also be interactive workshops and highly-informative presentations by the Elevator Team and special guests.
The roadshow is hosted by Louth Age Friendly County and the Dementia Elevator Programme – an education and empowerment programme to help individuals, communities and health systems engage with and support people with dementia.
Dementia Elevator aims to provide skills to support ageing in place for people with dementia and challenge the way society thinks about the condition.
It also provides opportunities for people with dementia to move up to the next level of education and skill.
Approximately 48,000 people are currently living with dementia in Ireland – most continuing to live in their communities, often supported by family and friends.
‘Dementia is a complex and challenging condition that affects a person’s daily life in many ways – impacting on memory, the ability to process information, solve problems and communicate,” said Patricia McPartland of Dementia Elevator.
‘When a community is not fully aware or misunderstands the impact of dementia on a person, that person can become increasingly isolated.
‘ The Dementia Roadshow is aimed at removing stigmas surrounding dementia in our society, which have negative consequences for people living with it.
‘ There continue to be many myths and misunderstandings about the condition with the focus remaining on what people cannot do rather than on what they can do.
‘Many of the ideas we have about dementia are tied up with the most advanced symptoms of the condition and don’t accurately reflect what it is like to live with dementia most of the time.’
Mary Deery, Louth Age Friendly County Co-ordinator, feels that the Dementia Roadshow is an ideal opportunity for people with dementia, their families, carers and the wider community such as businesses to unite to increase their knowledge of the condition.
‘Many people with a diagnosis of dementia continue to be able to manage their lives independently or with some degree of support,’ said Mary.
‘As a community we need to develop better awareness and understanding of how dementia might affect someone so we can become less fearful and more supportive.
‘ The Roadshow will showcase local projects and supports and put people in touch with vital points of help and information that will make their lives easier.
‘A series of training programmes have been developed for public facing workers such as people working in banks, post offices, trains, buses, and shops.
‘All of this will combine to work towards making Louth Ireland’s first official dementia-friendly county, following on from the success of the Age Friendly County programme.’
The Dementia Roadshow takes place at The Marshes Shopping Centre Dundalk on Tuesday September 27 (10-2). For more information contact Mary Deery on 042 932 4389.