Dementia Friends Champion Helen Morris offers some thoughts on the experience of dementia
Exploring new opportunities for everyone to become more sensitive to the challenges presented by dementia and what we can all do make life more pleasant.
Each Dementia Friends session brings up new areas of discussion, such as the frustration of feeling vulnerable when the ability to navigate well-known areas becomes difficult.
This can happen in the early stages of the condition, when no-one would guess a person has this diagnosis, and it can be acutely upsetting.
To put it in context: imagine landing at a massive airport for the first time, where terminals are reached by internal trains and everyone seems to know exactly where they are going at great speed and not making eye contact. You have 15 minutes to find your connection so anxiety makes you panic.
Everyone looks too busy to ask, the screens are a blur because your glasses are in the suitcase and you have absolutely no idea which way to walk. You would work your way through it and no doubt catch the plane but the extreme discomfort of disorientation leaves you feeling unnerved.
This scenario could have been dramatically altered by the behavior of your fellow travelers – if someone had simply met your gaze and asked if they could help it would have changed a miserable episode into a heartwarming exchange.
They might not have known the gate for your plane but could walk you to the right screen and tell you which train to catch to the right terminal. Sixty seconds of time to make a massive difference to your day!
This is the essence of Dementia Friends: just being prepared to ask if you can help someone with a worried or lost expression. It is the first and maybe the hardest step for many of us reticent types, but once made then the rest comes naturally.
In May, watch out for a huge publicity campaign for Dementia Friends with exciting new ways of becoming involved. In Dementia Awareness Week (May 18 to 23) visit our Alzheimer’s Society stall on market day in Uppermill on Wednesday, May 21 from 10am – 2pm where members of the Dementia Friendly Communities team will be happy to offer advice and a smile.
Groups and societies interested in having a Dementia Friends Session at a future meeting should contact Helen: call 07976 702171 or email helen@close-communications.com
For details of local Dementia Friends Sessions please visit www.close-communications.com/dementia-friends
DEMENTIA FRIENDY UPPERMILL – NEWS FLASH
Two consultations are now booked on Wednesday, June 4 in the Civic Hall Council Chamber in Uppermill.
14.00 – 16.00 People living with dementia and their carers/partners
17.00 – 19.00 Owners/managers of Uppermill businesses and services
Join us to find out more and have your say. Please email us DFCGM@alzheimers.org.uk or phone 0161 962 4788 to receive more information, contribute without attending or confirm you will be joining us.
You must be logged in to post a comment.