Dementia help not ‘cost effective’ but necessary

Tony Bennett, singer, Steven Berkoff, actor/ director and writer, Martin Sheen, actor

John Landis, film-maker, Ossie Ardiles, former footballer and football manager,

James Hetfield, singer/guitarist Karlie Kloss, Victoria’s Secret model I HAVE just read the very heartfelt letter from someone who has clearly been benefitting from a dementia support group only to find that they are now being closed.

I run a small, independent project providing a weekly support group with the help of a team of wonderful volunteers.

We provide transport and a good midday meal in addition to activities designed to stimulate and give pleasure to those who attend.

How can we undervalue this kind of emotional and psychological experience or attempt to put a price on it?

Our group has received partial funding over the last three years from Kirklees Community Partnerships, Comic Relief and One Community but the group members have also to make a contribution , and they say it is “worth every penny”.

The big problem is that this kind of group must be kept small in number for it to be effective for people who are beginning to experience impairment in communication, social and cognitive skills, with no more than 10 people attending a group.

Of course, this is not ‘cost effective’ but surely there are some occasions when other considerations than financial ones should bear weight.

Also, I firmly believe that this kind of support enables people with dementia to live well independently for longer, addresses issues of loneliness and isolation and consequently anxiety and depression and helps to alleviate the pressure on local health and social services.

I agree with the letter writer – how can Kirklees Council call itself dementia friendly when it is pulling the rug from under the feet of those who are so vulnerable and so deserving of the best support. RECENTLY I visited a food bank and social centre in Halifax which was a credit to all who organise it.

However on speaking to several people there l realised that they were unaware that one of the largest towns in England could descend on their already overstretched A&E.

However Halifax is not alone in being unaware. Whilst many people in Huddersfield – whichever group they represent are working their socks off – there are some who ignore what is going on or dismiss it as a done deal. They will probably be the first to complain if Dr Ollerton et al are successful!

The campaign is growing but reports are detailed and time consuming and need even more people after this recent success to engage and become really proactive. WHEN crossing High Street to go to the Save HRI meeting at the Town Hall I tripped over the kerb that separates a cycle lane from the pavement.

I fell heavily and had severe pain in my left wrist. Ending up at A&E, the doctor sent me for an X-ray and plaster cast on my wrist for a fracture. A banner I had in my carrier bag read ‘Save HRI we need this hospital.’ I certainly did!

The cycle paths are dangerous, in my mind, besides being a waste of money, having never seen a cyclist use them. I rang Kirklees and left details, being told I would get a call back (none to date). Surely the money would have been better spent mending the many broken pavement slabs in town.