Free Dementia Awareness Day at St. Luke’s Hospice

A free Dementia Awareness Day offering advice and support to the public and healthcare professionals is being held by St. Luke’s Hospice on Saturday 14^th September.

Taking place in the Day Hospice, the event is an opportunity to find out more about dementia and the range of help and support that is available locally. It’s open to all members of the public, as well as clinicians and professionals who have an interest in caring for people with dementia.

Visitors will have the opportunity to speak with specialist dementia professionals for expert guidance and find out more about the role nutrition plays in dementia, including dietary advice and how to eat well. They can also learn about importance of diversional therapy and reminiscence, as well as hear about safeguarding and protecting people with dementia.

Currently, there is no cure for dementia. According to figures from the Alzheimer’s Society, there are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to over 1 million by 2025. This will soar to 2 million by 2051.

Eileen Craig, Head of Day Hospice Services and one of the event organisers, said:

“Thousands of people across the UK are diagnosed with a form of dementia each year. It can have a huge impact on the person diagnosed, as well as their family, but there is support out there for them, their loved ones and carers. We hope people come along to our Open Day to meet with specialists and staff here at the Hospice to find out about the range of help available.”  

St. Luke’s Hospice has, for a number of years, focused on improving the delivery of specialist palliative care to patients who have dementia, as well as supporting their family members and carers both in the Hospice and in their own homes.

St. Luke’s Hospice supports people in Basildon and Thurrock living with life-limiting illnesses, as well as their families, friends and carers. The Hospice offers care for those living with or affected by cancer and any other advanced, life-threatening illness, and care is given within the Hospice or at home, wherever that may be.

The Dementia Open Day takes place at St. Luke’s Hospice, Fobbing Farm, Nethermayne, Basildon SS16 5NJ.

There will be designated quiet areas for patients and carers and complementary refreshments. Parking (at the rear of the Hospice) and disabled access and facilities available.

For more information, visit our website www.stlukeshospice.com or contact Amanda Backhouse on 01268 524973 or email [email protected]