Calderdale people urged to get talking this Dementia Awareness Week

South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is encouraging local people, health and social care staff, people who use services and their carers to get talking during Dementia Awareness Week which runs from 19th – 25th May.

Dementia Awareness Week is organised by the Alzheimer’s society, a national charity that works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England. The awareness week is an opportunity to get people talking – to find out more about what the condition is, how you can recognise the signs and the help available.

Dementia is a common condition. Over 665,000 people in England are currently living with the condition. Dementia is a syndrome, a group of related symptoms, associated with the ongoing decline of the brain.

There is no cure for the condition and symptoms are progressive which means they will get worse over time. However there are a number of treatments available that can help people cope better with their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Ian Black, Trust Chairman said, “During this year’s Dementia Awareness Week we are encouraging our staff, those who use our services and people living in our local communities to talk about dementia. Talking about the condition will not only help to raise awareness about it and its symptoms, but it’s also an opportunity for people to find out about support available to help them live well in their community.

“Dementia affects many people in our local communities, including my father and at the Trust we are working to promote and improve services available for people with dementia and their carers, listening to them about what matters most so we always provide the right service, at the right time and in the right place.”

For more information about Dementia Awareness week, advice on living with the condition and details of events planned in support of the week visit www.alzheimers.org.uk