Residents in South Gloucestershire who have recently been diagnosed with dementia and their family, carers and friends are invited to a ‘Living Well with Dementia’ roadshow on 23 May.
The event, which is free to attend, will take place from 6pm until 8.30pm at Apple Room and Cherry Room, Baileys Court Activity Centre, Bradley Stoke, South Gloucestershire, BS32 8BH.
The roadshow will offer practical, emotional and health advice and is intended to provide people with the information they need to understand their diagnosis, find out what support is available to them and learn how to live well with dementia.
During the roadshow, experts will be on hand to answer questions and attendees will be able to take home a handy guide to all of the relevant services and support that’s available. There will also be talks about managing your affairs and all the help that’s on offer from Age UK, the Alzheimer’s Society and the Memory Service.
Cllr Ben Stokes, Cabinet Member for Adult Care in South Gloucestershire, said: “Have you, a family member, friend or neighbour living in South Gloucestershire recently been diagnosed with dementia? Please help us spread the word about our free Living Well with Dementia roadshow in Bradley Stoke on 23 May. The roadshow is also open to carers, families and professionals who support people living with dementia and visitors will find out about all of the support that is available and receive expert advice.
“A dementia diagnosis can leave the person with dementia and their family with lots of questions about what to expect and what they can do to plan for the future. These roadshows provide useful information to help answer these questions and provide reassurance that you’re not on your own.”
Dr David Soodeen, local GP and clinical lead for mental health at Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire CCG, said: “People do not always experience dementia in the same way. We would encourage anyone who thinks they may have dementia to go to their GP as soon as possible. An early diagnosis means that we can start to help. As GPs, we can signpost to a wide range of support services in the community to improve quality of life.
“The roadshow event is designed to connect people with dementia and their families and friends with the services and support available. Finding the right support and meeting others going through a similar experience can make a huge difference, and this event will be a great way of achieving this.”
In feedback from previous roadshows, attendees commented that the best part of the event was:
“Learning about organisations I hadn’t known were available and about additional services available from organisations I did know of.”
“How it was aimed at patients and carers equally and covered feelings not just facts.”
“Expert speakers giving the whole picture of support.”
“The relaxed and informative way the whole afternoon was presented and the information available.”
“Talking face to face rather than over phone or through email/websites.”
“The best part was being made aware that you are not alone.”
The Living Well with Dementia roadshow is free, but places should be booked in advance by using one of the following methods:
Book online at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bradley-stoke-living-well-with-dementia-roadshow-2018-registration-38403782748
Email cchengagement@southglos.gov.uk
Phone 01454 862356.
For more information and details of future roadshows visit www.southglos.gov.uk/dementia
