Awareness day at Speedwell Court to help with understanding dementia

Understanding Dementia with Speedwell Court

Speedwell Court dementia-friendly Southampton care home hosted a Dementia Awareness Day on 20th September, which welcomed those caring for, supporting, or working with people living with the condition.

Carers and family members learned how to better help people with dementia to live a full life and to retain a degree of independence as their condition develops, and professionals working in the sector were helped to develop a deeper understanding of what their clients go through and explore how they can enhance their services.

The free-to-attend event offered a wealth of insight, useful tips and information, in a series of workshops and seminars facilitated by experts.

Presenters included Kate Dagnell, Head of Care at Speedwell Court, who provided advice on how carers of people living with dementia can manage the challenges posed by their role; and Kate Harris, Clinical Educator from the District Nurse Team, who expanded on the support that the community can access.

The University of Southampton’s Professor Roxi Carare also delivered a session on small changes to people’s lifestyle that can reduce their chances of developing dementia. She revealed that a healthy diet, plenty of exercise and good air quality, can all help to prevent the deterioration of the brain.

Attendees were then offered a dementia simulation experience, to gain a better insight into what people living with the condition go through in their everyday lives, and they attended Speedwell Court’s memory choir, which demonstrated how music can help people living with dementia to reconnect with memories.

The event, which is the second Dementia Awareness Day Speedwell Court has hosted following a successful initial session in May, is the latest community-focused initiative at the home, alongside their popular weekly dementia lunch club, attended by people living with the condition and their carers.

Speedwell Court’s Customer Relations Manager, Justine Owen, said, “Our Dementia Awareness Days will ensure that Speedwell Court remains the forefront of dementia care and support in Hampshire.

“I am keen to make the community aware that we are keen to share the knowledge and insight around dementia that we, and others, have with local professionals, as well as those who have friends and family affected by the condition.

“These events provide a great opportunity to learn from each other.”

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