Mersey Care launch ‘Living with Dementia’ campaign to inform those scared of diagnosis
A new campaign aims to inform Merseyside residents about what life is really like ‘Living with Dementia’ and try and persuade those affected to ask for an early memory assessment.
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest mental and physical community health Trusts in the country, has an established older people’s service based at Leigh Moss Hospital in Liverpool and is concerned that general lack of knowledge about dementia may cause anxiety and a reluctance for people to speak to their GP.
Dr Sarah Butchard, Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Psychology Lead for Mersey Care’s older people’s services, said: “We understand that receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be really difficult for people and if you notice that your memory is starting to change it’s really natural to not want to face that.
“What we do know is the earlier you get a diagnosis, the more support there is and the more likely you are able to live well with it. If you’re having problems with your memory we’d advise you see your GP as soon as you can and ask for a memory assessment.
“There’s a stigma within society around dementia and people are frightened but we work with lots of people who are living with dementia who have a really good quality of life.
“We often see people imagining they are not going to be able to do anything for themselves, that it only affects older people and that it’s the end of their life, but in reality there’s a lot of life still to live.”
As part of the campaign, Mersey Care has re-launched memory cards (see below) and released two videos, with Dr Butchard and service user Tommy Dunne BEM, who was diagnosed with Dementia in 2012, remains a keen golfer and works closely with patient groups to ensure those newly diagnosed don’t regard it as the end of their lives.
“Working with Mersey Care gave me my life back and gave me hope,” said Tommy. “I had no hope and they showed me that people living with dementia can live well, given the right opportunities. There was an immense feeling of empowerment. You can do things, so don’t sit in that chair, get out because it’s not the end of your life.
“The service is as important to me as family, and family is the most important thing in the world to me. We’ve got people we trust and people who trust us. When I’m with them I don’t feel like I’ve got dementia. I’m Tommy first and I’ve got dementia – it’s not dementia that has got me.”
He added: “Getting assessed early is one of the most important things you can do and one of the best decisions you’ll ever make in your life. The best way for people to learn about dementia is to talk to people who have dementia, like me, my friends, my fellow peers because they are the only people who can really tell you what it’s like to actually live with dementia. We’re the only people who can take away the fear of dementia.”
Mersey Care’s memory cards are available at shops, supermarkets, and other local venues, and encourages people to ask their GP for a memory assessment. The cards and both videos are available via Mersey Care’s website.
To get more information about dementia visit:
www.merseycare.nhs.uk www.alzheimers.org.uk
Dementia UK helpline: 0800 888 6678