Free seminar offers expert help to people caring for loved ones with dementia

Home news

Jan 10, 2014

The award winning team at Care UK’s Tall Trees care home are joining with national experts to offer Colchester residents the opportunity to learn more about dementia and about increasing the wellbeing of people living with the condition.

On Friday 31st January, between 11am and 2pm, the team at the home in Mile End Road will be joined by Care UK’s head of dementia services Maizie Mears-Owens and dementia wellbeing pioneer Neil Mapes, the founder and director of Chelmsford-based Dementia Adventure.

Home manager Katherine Foley, whose team won this year’s national dementia team award, said: “A diagnosis of dementia can be devastating for the person and their family – we want to show people that there are ways to keep healthy and active and that there is support for the carers too.

“As well as hearing talks from experts there will be the chance to ask them questions after the sessions and, over lunch, people can chat with other families who are going through the same type of experiences. We know, from what relatives tell us, that it really helps to know you are not alone.”

Neil Mapes, whose organisation provides life-enhancing adventures for people with dementia and trains carers to provide safe and stimulating outings and activities, will be talking about how dementia affects people and what can be done to help maintain people’s independence.

He said: “Being out in nature has very positive effects. Physically the sunshine and exercise promotes health, better sleeping patterns and appetite; emotionally and spiritually nature is uplifting; and socially trips mean people are able to spend time with other people doing ‘normal’ fun things.”

Anyone wishing to book a place at the Understanding Living with Dementia seminar should call (01206) 844425.