Delight at dementia windfall
Dementia Friendly Dunblane are marking Alzheimer Awareness Month by celebrating a £15,000 boost.
The Dunblane Development Trust group received the grant from Life Changes Trust, established by the National Lottery Community Fund, to develop a“meeting centre”for individuals with dementia and their carers /families.
This project will enhance the existing memory café held at the Braeport Centre, Dunblane every Wednesday from 12.45- 4.15pm.
Small gatherings in the sensory garden have been held since June.
Meeting centres are a low-cost way of supporting people living with dementia their families and carers. They provide a place where people are supported to understand and adapt to living with dementia and are run by trained and experienced staff and volunteers.
Anyone who has a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of dementia is eligible to join and everyone is welcome.
Dementia Friendly Dunblane coordinator Breda Seaman said:“The meeting centre works best when a family member or carer comes along, although you can choose not to stay if you prefer.
“It’s a chance to meet old friends and make new ones.”
The group includes informative discussion groups, practical and emotional support, friendship and companionship, peer-to-peer support from other members, one-to-one and group support for people with dementia and their family /carer, professional speakers, singing, music and games, crafting and painting, gentle exercises and walks, visits to places of interest and a sensory garden.
To join there is a suggested donation of £3 per person, with lunch included.
World Alzheimer Awareness Day took place yesterday (Tuesday).
Breda said:“We are delighted to have received this generous grant from Life Change Trust as it will help us to continue supporting individuals with dementia and their unpaid carers and families to live a fulfilling life in a supported community.
“People with dementia and memory impairments want to remain independent as long as possible but they and their carers often talk about the everyday challenges they face trying to‘live well’with their condition. This can include difficulties in navigating around due to poor signage, remembering pin numbers shops, banks, and post offices, using public transport, and maintaining social contact.
“The Dunblane Dementia Friendly Community aims to support the local community to work together and respond more positively towards individuals living with dementia or memory impairments by increasing public awareness and understanding of memory impairments and how it affects a person’s ability to complete daily activities.
“We want to help individuals living with dementia to remain independent for longer and have more choice and control over their lives.‘‘