Knowsley Council is supporting the Dementia Friends campaign,
launched by Public Health England and the Alzheimer’s Society, last
week.
The campaign aims to support people with dementia to continue to
live safe, dignified and as far as possible, fulfilling lives.
Daniel Clark, aged 67 from Huyton, was diagnosed with Vascular
Dementia three years ago following a stroke.
With 16 grandchildren, aged between 3 and 23 years, and two
great grandchildren, Daniel has always been very active and always
on the go.
However, in the three days leading up to his diagnosis, Daniel
found he couldn’t sleep, didn’t want to get up or get dressed,
became forgetful and angry – all characteristics which were not
Daniel.
He attended his GP and follow-up assessments, including memory
tests, were carried out at home which confirmed he had Vascular
Dementia.
Daniel and his wife, Cathy, receive a lot of support from their
family, Admiral Nurses, and the Alzheimers Society, who are always
a phone call away when support is needed. They attend the
Alzheimers breakfast club in Prescot every two weeks – which the
Clark’s call the “welcome cafe” – socialising, supporting one
another, helping with fundraising ideas and activities for the
Alzheimers Society.
Mrs Clark said “I fully support campaigns which helps to raise
awareness about dementia – it is a silent illness and unless you
are living with someone or know someone who has been diagnosed with
dementia, you wouldn’t know. Many people don’t realise Daniel
is ill as there aren’t any physical signs.”
“There is support available in the borough to those who have
been diagnosed with dementia as well as those who are looking after
people with dementia – my advice is to access all of the support
available. I would also recommend signing up to become a
Dementia Friend. Small things really can make a big
difference.”
To find out more about the support available in Knowsley,
contact the Alzheimer’s Society Knowsley on 0151 426 4433 or visit
www.alzheimers.org.uk
Public Health England and the Alzheimer’s Society are aiming to
create a network of a million Dementia Friends across England by
2015. Dementia Friends gives people an understanding of
dementia and the small things they can do that can make a
difference to people living with dementia - from helping someone
find the right bus to spreading the word about dementia. For
further information about Dementia Friends, or to sign up, visit
www.dementiafriends.org.uk