Published: Thursday 06th April 2017 | 4.09pm
People living in Cannock Chase District will have the opportunity to put their questions to the experts and find out a little more about dementia next week as Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Community Roadshow rolls into town. The visit has been organised by Cannock Chase’s Dementia Action Alliance.
The pioneering national tour will be stopping off at Cannock Town Centre on 11 April and Hednesford Tesco on 12 April between 10am and 4pm. It aims to increase local awareness and understanding of the condition which affects people across the Cannock Chase area. It will offer free information and advice to anyone with queries about the condition, as well as helping to promote the benefits of an early diagnosis.
It is also open to people currently living with dementia, who are worried about a friend or relative’s memory or who just have questions about the condition. No appointment is needed.
Karla Vowles, Senior Partnerships Officer and Dementia Champion for Cannock Chase Council, said “Dementia is set to be the 21st century's biggest killer. In Cannock Chase alone, there are approximately 1,184 people living with dementia and this figure is expected to increase to just over 2000 by 2030.
“This two-day roadshow will be a great opportunity for people living with dementia to access information from the Alzheimer’s Society. Staff will also be on hand to signpost people to other local support agencies.
“With the support of the Cannock Chase Dementia Action Alliance, we are working towards making Cannock Chase a dementia-friendly district.”
Having launched in 2011, the Roadshow has already made a big difference to the lives of people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, reaching more than 185,000 people in the four years it has been on the road.
Charlene Reece, Dementia Support Manager for Alzheimer’s Society said: “Dementia is one of the biggest health and social care challenges of our generation. Yet it continues to be a condition blighted with stigma and lack of understanding. This can mean that people who are worried about dementia in some way, or simply want to find out more may not know where to turn.”
“The Dementia Community Roadshow is the perfect way to get that information and support out to the people who need it. We’re here to provide people with information about where to get help and encourage those with concerns about their memory to visit their GP. There are also a number of local services that can help support people with dementia in Cannock.”
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