HSCP hosts community events to raise awareness of and support for dementia

Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) welcomed carers, families and local residents to a series of community events during this year’s Dementia Awareness Week, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and the support available.

Held annually in early June by Alzheimer Scotland and NHS Scotland, this year’s campaign focused on dementia diagnosis and raising awareness of the most common early symptoms.

To mark the week, our HSCP Day Centre managers and staff hosted drop-in information sessions alongside afternoon tea events across our six day care centres. Staff from Alzheimer Scotland were also present to offer advice and answer questions, creating a relaxed and supportive environment for attendees.

The events were well received, with carers, service users and local people taking the opportunity to connect with professionals and each other over strawberry tarts and refreshments.

At Meadowburn Day Care Centre, there was a particularly strong turnout, with attendees sharing positive feedback about the support available. One visitor, whose husband has dementia, said speaking to Alzheimer Scotland staff had helped her “massively,” while also valuing the opportunity to meet other carers and families facing similar experiences.

Wallacewell Day Care Centre also welcomed family members and members of the public, who took part in discussions with HSCP staff and Community Support Services as part of the afternoon tea event.

Julia Donaldson, Service Manager, said: “Over the week at our day care centres, we had information on Post Diagnostic Support Workers, Occupational Therapy and our HSCP’s Home Technology Team. We also had visits from Give A Dog A Bone support and companionship dogs and CAB - Welfare Rights.

“Performances from Neilston Strings Therapeutic Music for the brain entertained everyone during an afternoon tea of strawberry tarts and sandwiches which went down a treat.

“Police Scotland spoke about online scamming and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service raised awareness of fire safety at home, handing out leaflets and booking home visits.

“The events were an enjoyable way to raise awareness of dementia and the support available.”

Early diagnosis of dementia is crucial to ensure optimal support and information is provided. One of the most common symptoms of dementia is memory loss. If memory loss affects your daily life, or is worrying you or someone you know, you should speak to your GP.

In Scotland, everyone who is newly diagnosed with dementia is entitled to Post Diagnostic Support (PDS). This helps people diagnosed and their carers to understand dementia, plan for the future and get support to stay well for as long as possible.

Lynn Haughey, Change and Development Manager, Older People’s Services, South Locality, said: “This year in our HSCP we have started to diversify our PDS to offer group work. The sessions are accessed by referral from the person’s diagnosing clinician. They are an opportunity for people recently diagnosed with dementia and their family or caregiver to come together to learn more about dementia, the support available, strategies to help manage symptoms and peer support.”

Further support and information:

•    PDS group sessions email: jstewart@alzscot.org
•    NHS Inform (dementia information): 
•    Alzheimer Scotland has a free Helpline phone: 0808 808 3000
•    Age Scotland 
•    Advice for unpaid carers in Glasgow
•    Home Technology Team