MORE THAN 40 per cent of the UK population has a close friend or family member with dementia. The condition is mainly associated with older age so, with people living longer, it’s on the increase.

There are currently more than 8,600 people living with dementia in Worcestershire and forecasts suggest the number will rise to 10,443 by 2020.

Worcestershire County Council is supporting a range of schemes to help people understand what dementia is - and how they can help those who have it.

Dementia is not a disease, but a collection of symptoms that result from damage to the brain. There are different types of dementia - the most common caused by Alzheimer’s disease.

Frances Howie, interim director of Public Health at Worcestershire County Council, described some of the symptoms.

She said: “Dementia affects everyone in different ways but sufferers often struggle to remember recent events, follow conversations or find the right word for something. At the beginning it can seem to come and go a bit like a Christmas tree light flickering.”

Frances believes it’s important to talk about dementia - and not make it a taboo subject: “We need to normalize the condition so that we can talk openly about the difficulties. That’s why our Dementia Friends training is so important. We need more people to sign up for this training to understand the condition.”

Dementia Friends is an initiative started by the Alzheimer’s Society which aims to encourage people to learn more about dementia and small ways to help. For more information visit https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk

“The dementia journey is one you don’t have to travel alone. There are people to help”, said Frances. “You can get online advice from these websites or ring the National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122.”

Visit https://ylyc.worcestershire.gov.uk/information-and-advice/health-and-wellbeing/dementia/; http://www.dementiaaction.org.uk and https://www.alzheimers.org.uk

Frances added: “There are ways you can reduce the risk of dementia and it is never too late to start. Take the NHS health check at www.nhs.uk/nhshealthcheck to make life changes to reduce those risks.”

Dementia Friends Champions are trained volunteers who encourage others to become Dementia Friends by learning a little bit about the condition. Champions run information sessions in their community and inspire others to help those living with dementia to live well.

Debbie Jones-Dee, aged 40 from Worcester, was a support worker for adults with learning disabilities before joining The Hive as a library customer advisor. She said becoming a Dementia Friends Champion was “undoubtedly one of the most positive things I’ve done”.

The mother of two became interested in mental health after suffering antenatal depression during pregnancy. When her father-in-law was diagnosed with vascular dementia she started reading about it.

“My father-in-law was a very social man. He enjoyed watching football or joining friends for a pint but all of that went - he just was not himself some days,” she said. “He sadly passed away when he was 70 but it was a trigger to help others who face this challenge.”

Debbie set up a reader group at The Hive for people with dementia and offers information and support to families and carers.

“Reading is a way to reach people with dementia,” she said. “For example, poetry or books with pictures can really help stimulate people with this condition.”

For further information on the sessions visit http://www.thehiveworcester.org/regular-events.html

She said people don’t need any particular experience or skillset to join the 10,500 Dementia Friends Champions and it’s easy to get involved. Volunteers attend a training session and receive support when they need it. For details visit https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk

The library customer advisor recommended the ‘Reading Well Books on Prescription’ collection which includes books on dementia offering advice and support for relatives and carers. These are available for library members to borrow for three weeks - and can be reserved free of charge.

“I know it is really hard when your loved one becomes forgetful or agitated,” said Debbie. “My advice, having gone through this, is to take a moment to mentally step back and see the person for who they are. Try to take off the dementia veil that surrounds them and just see and remember them.”

The county council runs a home care service for people with dementia called Side by Side.

Side by Side worker Julie Quinn visits around five people a day to help people with dementia keep safe and independent for as long as is possible. One of her clients is a retired Worcester engineer who used to travel the globe.

He started experiencing disorientation and was getting more forgetful - but wanted to retain his independence and remain in his own home. He receives intensive support, twice a day, provided by trained care staff from Worcestershire County Council’s Side by Side service.

Julie has been visiting this Worcester gentleman for six years and describes him as a real character. “I help him with his medication, or take him to the surgery, or clean out Bertie the budgie’s cage if that’s what’s needed,” said Julie. “It’s about help for the individual.”

Julie is clear about what’s needed to do the job well. “Everyone who works with customers should have dementia training to understand why someone might be confused. The training offered by the council is red hot and I’d recommend it.”

She added: “I get a lot of job satisfaction. I go home at the end of each day knowing I’ve helped someone and made a difference. I get to come in and help such lovely people it’s very rewarding.”

• This week (from May 15 to May 21) is national Dementia Week which is hosted by the Alzheimer’s Society. It aims to raise awareness of dementia and encourage people who are worried about dementia to confront their worries by addressing dementia directly by talking about it and finding out more about it and services available to help. For more information visit https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/remembertheperson. The society stresses that life doesn’t end when dementia begins.

Alzheimer’s Society staff and volunteers will be providing information about dementia and how to live well with the condition at a series of events taking place throughout the week including:

• Tuesday May 17 - Joint 'Memories and Muffins' event with Age UK H&W at Amphlett Hall, Bromsgrove

• Wednesday May 18 - Awareness and Information Stand at Tesco Evesham linked to the 'Make Evesham a Dementia Friendly Community' initiative

• Thursday May 19 - Joint 'Memories and Muffins' event with Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire, linked also to the Side by Side initiative to 'Make Kidderminster a Dementia Friendly Community'. Town Hall, Kidderminster DY10 1DB

• Thursday May and Friday May 20 - This is a two-day information stand hosted by Redditch and Bromsgrove Friends Together, Service User Involvement Group. Kingfisher Shopping Centre, Redditch.

• Saturday May 21 - A family fun day with varied stalls, singing for the brain and a 'dementia cafe' where people can purchase lovely refreshments, including a BBQ supplied by our local butchers. Ceramics specialist and Antiques Roadshow expert Henry Sandon will be present for visitors to bring their porcelain for his valued opinion. There will also be ferret racing, tombolas, a book stall and much more fun and activities. The Coach House, The Old Rectory, Main Road, Ombersley WR9 0EW

The charity is also asking Worcestershire residents to confront their concerns by addressing dementia directly in a letter or sharing their thoughts and experiences at alzheimers.org.uk/DAW or on social media using #DAW2016.

Gill Read, services manager for Alzheimer’s Society in Worcestershire, said: “We’d love to see as many people as possible get involved with Dementia Awareness Week this year. By openly talking about dementia we hope to tackle the many myths and misunderstandings about the condition and get across that life doesn’t end when dementia begins.

“The sooner you face up to dementia by coming to us for information and support, the sooner you can get the right treatment, support and advice to tackle it.

“The Alzheimer’s Society is here for anyone affected by dementia and there are lots of ways we can help you. Call our National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122 or visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/DAW.”