Cardiff backs Dementia Awareness Week 2017

Cardiff Council is marking Dementia Awareness Week 2017 with a series of events and drop-in sessions to promote the support services available in the city and help people understand what it is like to live with dementia day-to-day.

The council, along with organisations, businesses and groups that include Alzheimer's Society, John Lewis, Ikea, Chapter, Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Dementia Friends, CARIAD Research Centre, Friends and Neighbours groups and the Willcox House Choir, is staging more than 50 events throughout Dementia Awareness Week 2017, from Monday, May 15 to Saturday, May 20.

Host venues include Cardiff Central Library Hub, the council's Community Hubs, County Hall, Willcox House, Chapter Arts Centre, St David's Shopping Centre, Roath Park, John Lewis and Ikea.

Rob Sadler, a Cardiff Council Dementia Champion and Business Change Officer for Cardiff Libraries said: "We have a jam-packed week planned, offering a range of activities, information sessions and entertainment with film screenings and poetry readings. We will be helping people living with dementia and their carers to get online and download e-books to enjoy at their ease and leisure.

"On Thursday of Dementia Awareness Week, we will officially open Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Café onsite at Cardiff Central Library Hub which we hope will provide a safe space for people living with dementia to access information and services in a sociable environment.

"We hope to see lots of people come through our doors during the week and to help play our part in building a dementia-friendly society that helps those affected live better, more fulfilled lives."

Social Workers and Carer Assessment Workers will be at Central Library on Monday, May 15 and Wednesday, May 17 to provide information and advice. Social Services offers a range of care and support all year round, including personal home care, respite care and carer support.

As part of the work towards achieving dementia-friendly city status, the council is offering dementia awareness training for all staff, and training for staff to become dementia champions.

Throughout Dementia Awareness Week 2017, Telecare Cardiff, a Cardiff Council service, is offering those with dementia a free donated base unit with every fall detector or property exit sensor purchased when signing up to its Mobile Response Service. Further details on how to sign-up are available by calling Telecare Cardiff on 029 2053 7080.

At the Dementia Café on Thursday, May 18, the council will be relaunching its Meals on Wheels service. Delivering hot, nutritious meals to customers across the city, Meals on Wheels now allows people to self-refer to the service or to be referred by family, friends, neighbours, or health or social care professionals.Customers who sign up for the service on Thursday will get their first meal for free.

Alzheimer's Society, the organisation behind Dementia Awareness Week 2017, is asking everyone across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to unite against dementia.

Melanie Andrews, Operations Manager for Alzheimer's Society Cymru in South East Wales, said: "There are over 4,000 people living with dementia in Cardiff. Uniting with Cardiff Libraries across the city is such an important relationship for us to have as their service provides a pivotal role in communities across the Capital. We are delighted with how ambitious the library has been this Dementia Awareness Week with events planned across the week including the launch of a Dementia Café.

"We're calling on people in Cardiff to show their support this Dementia Awareness Week. Dementia doesn't care who you are; it could affect us all. It's set to be the 21st century's biggest killer, with someone developing it every three minutes, and so many people are facing it alone.

"People with dementia often feel - and are - misunderstood, marginalised and isolated but with the right support and understanding they can continue to live fulfilling lives and make a contribution to their communities. So, unite with us now and join us at the many events taking place in Cardiff this Dementia Awareness Week.

Click here for the full list of Dementia Awareness Week 2017 events taking place in Cardiff, including venues, dates and times. Details will also be shared during the week via the council's Twitter account - @CardiffCouncil - and Facebook page - facebook/cardiffcouncil1.