Stoke-on-Trent City Council working alongside partners and organisations highlight the signs of Dementia and are encouraging residents to seek help during Dementia Action Week campaign.

Residents across Stoke-on-Trent are being urged to contact their GP if they’re experiencing or worried about signs of dementia.

The main signs of dementia include:

• Memory problems
• Changes in your ability to complete normal tasks
• Changes in behaviour
• Problems with language
• Confusion about time or place

Residents who are concerned about these symptoms should seek help from their GP as soon as possible, as early diagnosis is key to putting into place the right support so people can still live well with dementia.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is working with partners and dementia support services across Staffordshire to support two community showcase events during Dementia Action Week (DAW). DAW is a campaign running between 16 May and 22 May 2022, led by Alzheimer’s Society, to raise awareness of dementia and improve the lives of people affected by it.

The first event takes place on Wednesday 18 May at Affinity Staffordshire Outlet Shopping, Talke Retail Park, Talke, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 1XD from 10:00am to 3.00pm. The second event will be held on Friday 20 May at Longton indoor market, The Strand, Longton, ST3 1BZ from 10:00am to 2pm. 

A number of exhibitors will be at both venues to talk about support services available within the local communities and what’s happening throughout DAW. Exhibitors will include: Alzheimer’s Society; Alzheimer’s Research UK, Approach Dementia Support; As One CIC; Beth Johnson Foundation; Dementia UK; Douglas Macmillan; Healthwatch Staffordshire; Healthwatch Stoke-on-Trent; Home Instead Senior Care; North Staffs Carers; North Staffs Combined Healthcare NHS Trust; Port Vale FC Foundation; Royal Voluntary Services; Staffordshire Fire and Rescue; Staffordshire Police and Stoke City FC Community Trust.

Councillor Ally Simcock, cabinet member for adult social care and health care said: “We want people to feel comfortable talking about dementia whether it’s with their friends and families or health professionals. We know that the word ‘dementia’ is scary, but it’s important that people know that with the right support in place, you can still live well with dementia.

“Please don’t be scared about the symptoms of dementia – if you’re worried, contact your GP as soon as you can and they will be able to advise on the next steps. It’s important to remember that not everybody with these symptoms will be diagnosed with dementia, but if you’re worried about them, they do need to be checked out.

“We have some brilliant services that offer different support options for people living with dementia and their carers. We want Stoke-on-Trent to become a Dementia Friendly City, and with one in three people born in the UK this year expected to develop the disease and more than half of the UK public having been affected by it, it’s more important than ever that we ensure the best support possible is in place. 

“Partnership working is key to our strategy, and we will continue to work closely with our partners through the Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire Dementia Steering Group to help people living in our city to live well.”

More information about dementia services across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire and the Stoke-on-Trent Joint Dementia Strategy can be found via: https://www.stoke.gov.uk/dementia.