Memory cafes go from strength to strength as numbers double
 |
The number of memory cafes in
This is welcome news for people with dementia who are now able to get support from almost 40 drop-in memory cafes across
Dementia awareness week takes place from 3 – 9 July and the theme of the week is “remember the person,” encouraging people to look beyond dementia and understand that everyone living with dementia is still an individual.
In
Memory cafes help people to share experiences and information, as well as to get practical and emotional support.
They are run by trained volunteers, with the support of Devon Partnership NHS Trust’s community mental health team and other health and social care professionals, and usually meet monthly for a couple of hours, although some meet fortnightly.
Jenny Richards, who is responsible for dementia services for NHS Devon and Devon County Council, said: “Memory cafes are so important in helping people with memory problems or dementia so it is great news that we now have almost 40 across
“So far 150 memory café volunteers have received dementia awareness training with more planned this year. Two annual memory café network support events have also been held to share practice, experience and ideas. This is all part of NHS Devon’s dementia awareness strategy.
“The cafes give people the opportunity to meet regularly with other people in similar situations, many of who make new friendships and are therefore able to support each other outside of memory cafes as well.
“Over the next year we will look at the future of memory cafes, continue to provide support for training of volunteers and explore the role of memory cafés and volunteers in promoting dementia friendly communities.”
David Light, who last year co-wrote a self-help dementia guide, said: “The original aim was to set up memory cafes in every market and seaside town in
“Carers have told me they get great comfort out of attending the sessions and find them very beneficial.”
Councillor Stuart Barker, Devon County Council's Cabinet Member responsible for adults social care, said:
“A great deal of work has been done in recent years to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers.
“Memory cafes, providing really meaningful support to people with memory related problems and their families, are continuing to increase in number.
“Authorities including Devon County Council and NHS Devon are working much more closely together to identify how they can provide better support to people with dementia, whether they are receiving care in hospital or at home. And support is also focusing on carers, the people providing care voluntarily to a friend or loved one with dementia.”
Memory Cafés are run by volunteers with the support of
A Dementia UK report identified that one in 20 people over 65, and one in five over 80, are affected by dementia.
The Department of Health has recently updated the national dementia strategy with a particular focus on good quality early diagnosis and intervention for everyone, improved quality of care in general and community hospitals, living well with dementia in care homes and reduced use of antipsychotic medication.
