Nurse calls on people to treat each other kindly ahead of event to raise awareness of dementia

A SPEAKER at a Derbyshire event aimed at raising awareness of dementia has called for greater understanding and patience among the public.

Tim Benson, a retired community psychiatric nurse and now a community engagement volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Society, will address the “Taking Care of a Loved One with Alzheimer’s” event at the Assembly Rooms,  Market Hall in Chesterfield, on Tuesday, September 24.

During his years as nurse, much of Tim’s time was spent working in hospitals, care homes, and out in the community, regularly working with people living with dementia.

Speaking about his personal views, he said: “What the dementia-friendly community wants is a society where all of us are sensitive to other people, particularly people with unseen needs, because not all disabilities are visible.

“When someone is a bit slow at a till, for example, maybe when they can’t get their change right, we live in such a hectic world that we immediately start tutting and getting impatient.

“But when you speak to someone with dementia who has experienced that, you see how devastating it is to them. That just might be the experience that stops them leaving the house in future – maybe for years, maybe even forever.”

“Our message is that we can all go out there today and be more dementia-friendly, even if that’s just wearing a badge, or just going a bit slower to allow someone else to finish what they’re doing, because they might be slow for a whole range of reasons.

“In an ideal world, we would all behave like this all the time, and there would be no need for raising awareness of dementia, because a dementia-friendly world would be friendly for everyone.

“I’m really looking forward to speaking in Chesterfield, it sounds like it’s going to be a great day. Dementia has been low on many people’s radar for a long time, but things like this are really giving this issue the push it needs, and I’m so glad to be part of it.”

The free event is being organised by CRT Care, a Derbyshire-based provider of home care services. The company, which has a head office in Chesterfield, has been providing care services across North-East Derbyshire and Matlock since 1985.

Tim will be joined by fellow speaker Gill Collins, a senior officer for the Alzheimer’s Society, who has spent the last five years working to help communities become more dementia-friendly.

The event is from 11am to 2pm, and a selection of support networks will be showcased. Teas and coffees will be provided, and carers will be available to assist visitors should help be required.

To book a place, contact Mary at mary.clare@crtcare.co.uk or call 01246 261700.