‘It is possible to live well with dementia with the right support’

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

Stoke-on-Trent City Council is encouraging residents who are concerned about these symptoms to seek help from their GP as soon as possible, as early diagnosis is key to putting into place the right support so that people with dementia can still live well.

September is World Alzheimers month and the authority is working with partners and dementia support services across Staffordshire to support two community showcase events at Hanley Indoor Market on Wednesday 22 September and Longton Market on Friday 24 September to raise awareness of dementia and to improve the lives of people affected by it. Both events take place from 10am to 2pm.

Last year, the city council launched the Stoke-on-Trent Joint Dementia Strategy for 2020 – 2024. It has been developed by the authority and Stoke-on-Trent Clinical Commissioning Group, in partnership with health, voluntary and community organisations. Its aim is for Stoke-on-Trent to become a Dementia Friendly City and to ensure the voices of people living with dementia and their carers are heard in order to help improve services over the next three years.

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.