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We are celebrating Dementia Action Week in St Albans!
Check out our:
- Forget- Me-Not trail and artwork between St Albans Museum and the Cathedral. Join the trail by picking up a stencil for your window from our market stall on Wednesday!
- Stall with Alzheimer’s Society on the market Wednesday 18th May – Stop by for information, advice and to find out how you can join the Dementia Friendly Community.
- Hundreds of crocheted and knitted forget-me-nots will be decorating post boxes and the St Albans Museum & Gallery balcony.
What is Dementia Action Week?
Dementia Action Week is Alzheimer’s Society’s biggest and longest running awareness campaign. Each year, we work with individuals and organisations across the UK to encourage people to take action for dementia. Dementia Action Week runs Monday 16th May – Sunday 22nd and the theme for this year is getting a diagnosis.
Research shows that the misconception of memory loss being a normal part of ageing is one of the biggest barriers to people seeking a dementia diagnosis. With diagnosis rates being at a 5 year low, tens of thousands of people are living with undiagnosed dementia, meaning they don’t have access to the vital care and support a diagnosis can bring. Through Dementia Action Week we want to encourage people to reach out to Alzheimer’s Society for advice, guidance and support so they can be empowered to take that next step.
Over 9 in 10 people surveyed by Alzheimer’s Society said receiving a diagnosis was beneficial for them and that it’s better to know. It enabled them to plan for the future, receive practical advice from professionals and brought a sense of understanding and relief. 3 in 5 people spoken to actually said they wished they’d received that diagnosis sooner. A timely diagnosis can prevent families and individuals from reaching crisis point.
Across St Albans and Harpenden, diagnosis rates are current at 6.3% below the national target.
It’s predicted that nearly 22,000 people will be living with dementia in Hertfordshire by 2030.
Dementia Friendly St Albans:
We are working to create a Dementia Friendly Community in St Albans, recognised by Alzheimer’s Society. A Dementia Friendly Community is one that is more understanding, inclusive and accessible to people living with dementia.
Through delivering free Dementia Friends Information Sessions (www.dementiafriends.org.uk) and offering sector relevant dementia friendly advice to businesses, venues and organisations, we hope to challenge misconceptions, promote awareness and encourage dementia friendly action. We can all make little changes that can make a big difference.
Our group of change makers come from a wide range of backgrounds including St Albans Council, Alzheimer’s Society, health and social care professionals, community activists and local people with lived experience of dementia. We welcome anyone who has a passion for improving our city for people affected by dementia. If you would like to volunteer as part of our Dementia Friendly Community Steering Group, get advice on how your organisation could be more dementia friendly or simply want to put forward your thoughts, please email Louise Bates at dementiafriendlystalbans@outlook.com.
Where can I get support and advice if I’m affected by dementia?
For personalised information, support and advice please call Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Connect support line on 0333 150 3456.
You can also access support via email or live chat as well as access a wide range of information by visiting the Alzheimer’s Society website www.alzheimers.org.uk.
Become a Dementia Friend! www.dementiafriends.org.uk
Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.
Whether you attend a free face-to-face Information Session or watch the online video on the website, Dementia Friends is about learning more about dementia and the small ways you can help. From telling friends about the Dementia Friends programme to visiting someone you know living with dementia, every action counts.
If you’d like to arrange a free Dementia Friends Information Session for your group or organisation, please contact dementiafriendlystalbans@outlook.com.
Donate or fundraise for Alzheimer’s Society
Alzheimer’s Society can only carry out the vital work we do providing front line services, investing in research, educating communities and campaigning for policy changes thanks to the generosity of people just like you.
Donate online: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/make-donation
By Phone: 0330 333 0804
By Text: Test Cure £3, Cure £5 or Cure £10 to 70144
Donate to our Forget-Me-Not Appeal: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/forget-me-not-appeal
Get involved in fundraising!
Make it a party, bake-off, gaming stream or quiz – however you want to fundraise, you can make it matter for people affected by dementia, even from the comfort of your own home! For information and support from our local Community Fundraising Officer contact Soraya.Bowen@alzheimers.org.uk
Whatever action you take, thank you for making a difference for local people affected by dementia!
