August Meeting – Dementia Forward

We were so pleased to be able to invite Fiona Andrews as a speaker to our August meeting to represent North Yorkshire Dementia Forward. She gave an informative and interesting insight into how this charity works. We had a good attendance, with many members invested, who asked lots of questions as this disease touches many families lives, it is heartbreaking. Fiona did deliver an enlightening and comprehensive explanation on this subject. Tea, coffee, or juice with a slice of Shirley’s apple cake if desired, were served at the start of the night, Raffle tickets were available for a prize supplied by Fiona the guest speaker, the winner was Gill Chambers.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is more than loss of memory, it’s about what happens in the brain and how electrical messages are impeded passing along the nerves at the hippocampus, people then don’t understand given instructions or conversations, they lose the ability to learn and remember. There are different reasons why dementia happens, from Alzheimer’s fast onset or gradual, vascular – due to strokes or haemorrhages, Parkinsons, to frontal Temporal. Loss of memory, personality changes, decision making, taking risks with money and social belonging is when family become aware. Logic and wayfinding directions also become difficult, along with immediate time but can recall the past, like 40 to 60 years ago. All this can make them feel threatened and confused, so can be violent with challenging behaviour and can also use choice language. This becomes difficult and heartbreaking for carers and family to deal with, so the uses of strategies help to distract this conflict, by making things a game and use the language of love, boosting and encouraging them using compliments. Play music, it stimulates memory, they sing along to the words and lighten the mood. Doing a few gentle exercises can help stimulate the brain and heart, a nice little stroll outside can be uplifting.

Dementia Forward

Dementia Forward was formed in Ripon, North Yorkshire in 2021, by seven enthusiastic and experienced founder members. When a person is concerned about their memory or has been diagnosed with dementia they are supported to continue to live well, along with the people they choose and their local communities. Volunteers visit people in the community who need help in different ways to deal with Dementia. They support anybody affected by dementia in North Yorkshire, whether they have dementia themselves or are directly involved in the care of someone with dementia. They can offer support pre-diagnosis and post-diagnosis, and can increase or reduce support depending on an individual’s needs.

Get Involved

You can find out more about Dementia Forward here https://www.dementiaforward.org.uk/

September Meeting

We meet on Thursday 11th September and will be joined by Emma Spalding of Emergy Fitness and
Wellbeing. Ladies don’t forget your books for the book swap. See you there!