Dementia worker relays awareness message
Oban dementia link worker Davy MacDonald is going the extra mile to raise funds and share the message that even in times of lockdown no one goes through the condition alone with Alzheimer Scotland.
Mr MacDonald and 10-yearold daughter Alyss hiked eight miles from their home in Connel to Oban with pet dog Sandy as their contribution to a relay of Alzheimer Scotland link workers who are walking 452 miles, across Scotland to spread the word.
From Monday, June 1, McCaig’s Tower was lit up purple for Dementia Awareness Week. To make a donation go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/linkworkerswalkscotlandfordementia )
Alzheimer Scotland is warning that dementia is not on lockdown. Social isolation, loss of networks and disrupted routines will be a huge challenge for those people living with dementia and their carers during this crisis particularly since they will face restrictions for an extended period of time.
‘Support at this time could make a real difference to the lives of people living with dementia and their carers, many of whom are already at crisis point and are relying on Alzheimer Scotland as a lifeline,’ said Mr MacDonald.
Mr MacDonald and colleague Mary MacAllister who are part of the Health and Social Care Partnership Community Dementia Team covering Oban, Lorn and the Islands of Mull, Tiree, Coll and Iona, are working from home, as is Dementia Advisor Sue Pagan but they are all still checking in to make sure people are staying well and issues are tackled before they become problems.
They are busy helping make sure arrangements for food and medication are in place and that they are a friendly voice at the end of the phone if people need to talk or get information.
Video sites online are being used for meetings and talk to families wherever they are and to run virtual groups and offer other mind-stimulating activities like a recent Memory Lunch where everyone sat down at a single time via the computer to eat and chat.
Stan Morris whose mum has dementia is full of praise for the help he has received.
‘The Community Dementia Team here in Oban have been brilliant from the first moment my mum was diagnosed with dementia. Davy MacDonald has been a wealth of information and a great support, particularly throughout the COVID-19 lockdown. He keeps in regular contact by telephone to both my mum and me and also helps co-ordinate any additional help we may need through his host of contacts,’ he said.
Dementia Advisor Sue Pagan can be contacted on 01631 570614 or email: SPagan@ alzscot.org for advice, information and support with all aspects of dementia at any stage of the illness.
The Alzheimer Scotland Helpline is available 24/7 on 0808 808 3000. To support Alzheimer Scotland visit www. alzscot.org/donate
Join the Dementia Awareness Week conversation on Twitter @alzscot using #DementiaAwareness