In line with President Frances theme of caring for the elderly in our society, we were pleased to welcome Norma Morgan from the Alzheimer’s Society as our guest speaker.
Dementia is the biggest health and social care crisis facing society today. Someone develops the condition every three minutes and too many are facing it alone.
Norma’s aim during her talk was to raise awareness of the condition and the needs of people living with dementia in the local area.
Norma introduced us to the Dementia Friendly Communities Programme ‘Dementia Friends’. The programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia. It aims to transform the way people think, act and talk about the condition.
Members discovered how small things can make a big difference. From being more patient in shop queues to telling friends about the Dementia Friends programme to volunteering to visit someone you know living with dementia.
She also explained that Maesteg is already a dementia friendly town and that our help to spread the word would help other areas of Bridgend County Borough to attain that status too.
At the end of the evening, Norma presented every member with a Dementia Friends badge and encouraged us to consider becoming Dementia Champions ourselves so that we could deliver awareness sessions and link with local communities.
The session certainly raised our awareness and left us far more informed about the condition. As Norma said, every action counts.
Joyce gave a vote of thanks to Norma for a very interesting evening and gave her a cheque for £50 to support eh Alzheimer’s Society.