Awareness event shines spotlight on dementia

From left, Pat Hewitt, Audrey Morton, Alisan Machin, Steve Oldfield, Joyce Brown and Cliff Cropley at the dementia awareness event organised by The Alzheimers Societyat The John Pounds Centre in Portsmouth
Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160699-1) — From left, Pat Hewitt, Audrey Morton, Alisan Machin, Steve Oldfield, Joyce Brown and Cliff Cropley at the dementia awareness event organised by The Alzheimers Societyat The John Pounds Centre in Portsmouth Picture: Ian Hargreaves (160699-1)

The Alzheimer’s Society hosted the roadshow at The John Pounds Centre, in Queen Street, Portsea.

Charity staff and volunteers provided information about dementia and strategies to help cope with the illness.

It follows events earlier this week at The Beacon Centre in Havant, Christ Church Parish Centre in Gosport, and The Link at Cosham Baptist Church.

Today volunteers will be handing out information by the fountain in Commercial Road, Portsmouth, between 10am and 4pm.

Lucie Debenham, services manager for the Alzheimer’s Society, said: ‘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.

‘Alzheimer’s Society is here for anyone affected by dementia and there are lots of ways we can help you.’

Some people attending the roadshows were encouraged to look into becoming Dementia Friends.

Dementia Friends aims to help people understand what it might be like to live with dementia. The number of Dementia Friends in Portsmouth has risen by 85 per cent in the past year.

Ms Debenham added: ‘The News has done a fantastic job of not only raising awareness of dementia, but also by encouraging more people to learn a little more about dementia by becoming a Dementia Friend.’