Kyle Walker, Ivan Toney and Jarrad Branthwaite tried the experience ahead of Alzheimer's Society International

Members of the England men’s squad were given the opportunity to experience some of the physical challenges faced by people living with dementia by wearing a dementia ‘Empathy Suit’. In a video launched today, Kyle Walker, Ivan Toney and Jarrad Branthwaite were invited by Alzheimer’s Society to try on the suit and walk in the shoes of people living with dementia to help raise awareness of dementia and its symptoms, as part of The Football Association (FA) and Alzheimer’s Society’s official charity partnership.

Players were dressed up in the suit, made up of 13 components which inhibit mobility, motor skills, vision, and hearing, and were asked to complete a number of tasks including buttoning up a shirt and dribbling a football.

The video was launched ahead of England’s game against Belgium, which will be a dedicated ‘Alzheimer’s Society International’. This year’s dedicated match is part of The FA’s and Alzheimer’s Society’s Support the Supporters campaign, increasing awareness of dementia symptoms and encouraging fans to take the first step in seeking an all-important diagnosis if they spot any telltale signs in themselves or loved ones by downloading Alzheimer’s Society’s symptoms checklist.

Although dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, one in three people living with dementia in England and Wales don’t have a diagnosis and too many people still think dementia is just a sign of normal ageing, unsure of the symptoms, and too afraid to visit their GP. A diagnosis can allow families more time to plan for the future and unlock the door to treatment, care and support.

The video was produced by the Alzheimer’s Society, in collaboration with two local Bristol organisations, Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service, a partnership between the NHS and Alsheimer’s Society, and the charity Alive Activities. They both use the empathy simulation suit in the Bristol and surrounding areas to train care staff and develop empathy in working with people with dementia.

Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service’s Manager Virginia Wild: “Although no one can comprehend exactly what it’s like to live with dementia, we can better support those who have it by learning more about common symptoms and lived experience. It’s so important that people are able to get an early diagnosis, so we hope that by working together we can encourage people to be aware of the symptoms and seek support.”

Isobel Jones, CEO of Alive Activities said “This was an incredible opportunity for us as two small Bristol Based organisations to go and work with the England players at St George’s Park. It was amazing when we got the call! The Empathy Suit can be quite a moving experience, and we saw how surprised the players were to get a sense of some of the challenges people living with dementia often face. Of course, the most common symptoms of dementia, including memory loss and confusion, are non-physical, but what a lot of people don’t realise is the breadth of symptoms and challenges that can make everyday activities harder than usual.”

Please click on the title to access a document on making your garden dementia friendly. This has been produced by :
The Association for
Dementia Studies,
University of Worcester, UK
2022
www.worcester.ac.uk/dementia 

Have your say on Bristol City Council budget proposals for next year (2023/24)

This year’s consultation is open against a backdrop of significant financial pressures being felt by everyone in the city and across the local government sector. Bristol City Council are carrying a substantial deficit and find ourselves in a cost of operating crisis. 
 
"We need to address a budget gap of up to £87.6 million over the next five years and want your views on the level of Council Tax and Social Care Precept for next year (2023/24) and on how we can spend less and raise more income. Your views are important to help shape the budget proposals that will be decided by all elected councillors at the annual budget meeting on 21 February 2023."
 
You can find out more about the proposals and complete the survey online at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Budget-2023-24-CD
 
Please give your views by Friday 23 December 2022.

In the latest edition of Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Together magazine, there is the following feature about the work we have done in Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service to be more accessible to the Deaf / BSL community: Making a dementia service more accessible to Deaf BSL users | Alzheimer's Society (alzheimers.org.uk)

Led by our Community Development Coordinators, our service has been working closely with our local Deaf community to understand their barriers in accessing advice and support. 

As a result, we have taken a number of actions, including working with the Specialised Deaf Service to produce a unique pathway to ensure we jointly work with this service in undertaking diagnostics. Deaf/BSL service users can now use a self-referral pathway to access our service. 

We have also produced an Easy Read version of our Service Leaflet, which can be found here (or by clicking the title of this article). 

And finally, we have also produced a BSL version of the Service Leaflet which you can find in the video below: 

Do you want to tell other people about dementia and what it is like?

Do you want to break-down myths about dementia and encourage people to talk
more openly about it?

If so, come and help us make a dementia podcast and reach as many people as possible!

We are looking for eight people who are affected by dementia

You could be someone living with a diagnosis of dementia or a supporter / carer of someone living with dementia

We will offer training and support you through the making of the podcast

The project will take place in March and early April 2022

Please apply by 14^th February 2022. You can click on the title of this news item, and you can dowload, print, complete and return if you are interested. 

Do you want to tell other people about dementia and what it is like?

Do you want to break-down myths about dementia and encourage people to talk more openly about it?

We are looking for eight people who are affected by dementia

You could be someone living with a diagnosis of dementia or a supporter / carer of someone living with dementia

We will offer training and support you through the making of the podcast

The project will take place in March and early April 2022

Please apply by 14^th February 2022. You can click the title of this news item and it will take you to a form which you can print, complete and return. 

UPDATE: Coronavirus Vaccine. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is effective, safe and gives you the best possible protection. To learn more about the vaccine view the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-vaccine/

COVID 19 / Coronavirus – We want to reassure everyone that although the Dementia Wellbeing Service has adapted its service delivery following government advice, our Access Point remains open to take your calls. Our Access Point is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Please call 0117 904 5151. Whether you are already supported by our service or if you have a Bristol GP and have concerns about dementia, we are here for you.

Coronavirus Advice: please see the NHS page for the latest updates and advice relating to the Coronavirus: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

NHS Guidance relating to vulnerable older adults: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Age UK have also provided advice, including what to do if someone you care for is self isolating: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/

Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust (AWP) have produced a set of resource on Coping Strategies for Anxious Times which is available in a range of languages.

Click on the title above or click here for further information about the Long Ashton Memory Cafe.

Researchers in the UK have been working with Alzheimer’s Europe to develop a database of resources for people with dementia from different BAME communities. The website is now live and may be helpful for various community groups. A number of our own resources (such as our short films on our homepage) are also featured.  

This can be accessed at: https://www.alzheimer-europe.org/Ethics/Database-of-initiatives-for-intercultural-care-and-support

We are delighted to share that Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service won two awards at last week's Positive Practice in Mental Health OPMH & Dementia Awards 2019.

We won for both Carer Support Services, and for Community/Primary Mental Health Services for People with Dementia.

There were so many fantastic teams across the country nominated, so we were very honoured to be in such esteemed company and proud of our service and staff.

Alzheimer's Research UK have produced the following film 'Let's Talk About Dementia' for the South Asian community.

Alive Activities run supported gardening, green craft and socialising sessions at their fully accessible allotment in Brentry, North Bristol, every Monday and Tuesday afternoon from 1.30 – 3.30. The sessions are for people living with dementia, their care-partners and relatives.

Sessions are run by a therapeutic horticulture specialist and are supported by trained volunteers. Activities are tailored to participants’ abilities and preferences.

All tools and materials are provided, and sessions are free.

Charlton Road Allotments, Charlton Road, Brentry. BS10 6 JZ

Phone: 07423719088

Email: communitygardening@aliveactivities.org

More info: aliveactivities.org/dementia-friendly-allotment

Highly Commended!
Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service received a Highly Commended Award in Specialist Services at last night’s Positive Practice in Mental Health awards that took place at Anfield, Liverpool. This is a fantastic national recognition of all the hard-work and dedication across the service, putting people affected with dementia at the heart of their care.

We are very proud of our service and a small delegation of our staff were on hand to accept this award.

*Trophy is Liverpool FC's Champions League trophy, not our award!

Dementia Friendly Swim Session are available at Henbury Leisure Centre where all staff have been trained by the St. Monica Trust. As we know exercise is extremely important for our general well-being and can be very beneficial for people living with Dementia.

The session is on a Monday (term time only) 10.30-11.15 in the main pool.

Your introductory session is free and then £2.40 thereafter, carers go free, everyone will need to fill out an everyone active card application form and will be issued with their own card to bring along to each session.

At all sessions they have Swimming Instructors on hand if anyone is feeling nervous about getting in the water and they will stay with them and assist them for the duration they are in the pool and help with getting in/out of the water also. They really encourage carers to get in the water with them as a familiar face often helps with their confidence, they have cubicle changing facilities and larger changing rooms plus a disabled one. They have easy access steps into the pool with handrails on both sides and a hoist if required.

You have 45 minutes of pool time but can spend as much or as little time in the water as the person is comfortable with. We have music playing to create a calm and relaxed atmosphere and we finish off with a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit!

On Wednesday 23 May passengers on the 11.16 train service from Bristol Temple Meads to Severn Beach travelled with musical accompaniment in a special takeover organised to mark Dementia Action Week (21-27 May). Staff and volunteers from Bristol’s Dementia Wellbeing Service helped to organise a special Singing for the Brain session on the Severn Beach Branch line.

The event attracted more than 40 people affected by dementia. Many people hadn’t travelled by train for years and they’d certainly never sung on the train. Songs like Do-Re Mi from the Sound of Music, and Let’s Twist Again by Chubby Checker, could soon be heard ringing through the carriages.

Usually entitled, ‘Singing for the Brain’, this special event was renamed ‘Singing on the Train’. Singing for the Brain, developed by Alzheimer’s Society for people with dementia, promotes communication through singing which can help with articulation, concentration, focus and motivation.

Allison Johnston Dementia Navigator with the Dementia Wellbeing Service said: “In the UK, one person develops dementia every three minutes and almost everyone knows someone whose life has been affected. Yet too many people face the condition alone without adequate support. Activities, like our singing on the train event, illustrated how taking action can help people affected by dementia to feel more included in their community and able to live the life that they want."

“Staff on the train were very welcoming, and understanding, and took time to listen and chat to everybody. There was a lovely atmosphere and there were lots of smiles all round. We’re very grateful to staff from both Great Western Railway and the Severnside Community Rail Partnership who helped make this happen.

“One family in our party commented to me that this was the first time in many years that they had travelled by train together. It goes to show that if we all take small actions, for example to listen and be patient, then we can have a big impact on the lives of people affected by dementia.”.

Two of our Dementia Support Managers, Sally & Agnes visited staff at Nuffield hospital ahead of Dementia action week to discuss dementia and how the Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service can support the person with dementia and their carer. We were really impressed with the adaptations Nuffield Health are making to the hospital room for a person with dementia when they are an inpatient with them. It’s great that they are working towards making there hospital more dementia friendly. The staff we met were friendly and passionate about supporting a person with dementia so there hospital stay is as comfortable and relaxing as possible. Therese Confait has been busy raising awareness about dementia and doing fundraising events for Dementia Action week by having a pledge tree, cake sale and raffle.

How to get involved in dementia research short film is now available for people with dementia and their carers. For more information about Bristol's Dementia Health Integration Team (HIT), please visit: http://www.bristolhealthpartners.org.uk/health-integration-teams/dementia-hit/research/

Staying Steady is a programme of strength and balance classes to help build strength, walk steadily and lower your risk of falling.

How the classes can help you

A Staying Steady class could help you if you’re feeling unsteady when moving around, are worried about falling or are less mobile than you’d like to be.

The classes can help you:

•stay independent and carry on doing the things you enjoy

•improve your confidence and reduce the fear of falling

•to be mobile and healthy

•keep active and have fun

What the classes involve

Classes are led by instructors who can adapt the exercises to suit you, so you can exercise safely with support from experts.

Each class lasts for an hour where you’ll be taken through exercises that can be done either seated or standing. 

During the class you might be using equipment such as bands, balls and hoops, which are provided.

At the end of the class you’ll be given some information about exercises to do at home.

How to join 

If you’d like more information or want to join a Staying Steady class near you, contact one of these centres: 

The Greenway Centre
Doncaster Road, Southmead, Bristol, BS10 5FY
Phone: 0117 950 3335 (main reception); 0117 909 0027 (fitness office)
Email: fitness@southmead.org

Staying Steady classes:
Tuesday 2pm to 3pm
Friday 2pm to 3pm
Monday 2pm to 3pm
To see further details of classes go to the Greenway Centre website and click on the Mead events calendar.

Brunel Fitness Centre
Speedwell Road, Bristol, BS15 1NU
Phone: 0117 377 0098
Email: bristol@almsport.co.uk

Staying Steady classes: 
Thursday 1.30pm to 2.30pm from April 2018

Easton Leisure Centre
Thrissell Street, Easton, Bristol, BS5 0SW
Phone: 0117 955 8840 or 07825 033 741
Email: eh.eastonexercisereferral@nhs.net 

Staying Steady classes:
Wednesday 11am to 12noon from April 2018

Hengrove Park Leisure Centre
Hengrove Promenade, Hengrove Park, Bristol, BS14 0DE
Tel: 0117 937 0200
Email: hengrove.referral@parkwood-leisure.co.uk

Staying steady classes:
Tuesday 12.30pm to 1.30pm from April 2018

The Park Centre
Daventry Road, Knowle, Bristol, BS4 1DQ
Phone: 0117 903 9770
E-mail:  gym.instructors@theparkcentre.org.uk

Staying steady classes:
Monday 3pm to 4pm from April 2018

Cost: £3.50 per session

For further information please visit the Bristol City Council website

My Life Films make free life story films for people living with dementia. Celebrating their favourite memories, bringing the focus back to the individual rather than their illness to improve person-centred care, and improving their quality of life. The South West London and St George's NHS Trust recently ran a pilot study to see how the films help people living with dementia in care homes, the following short video explains the positive impacts: https://vimeo.com/203289973

For further information about the charity please visit their website. Their criteria can be viewed here. You can download a flier about their service here.

We have now launched an innovative series of short films in six different languages giving information about dementia and relevant support services in the city. We commissioned the six short films - in Urdu, Punjabi, Cantonese, Somali, Polish and English-language - to address the stigma, misunderstanding and lack of accurate information currently available for the culturally diverse communities across the city.

There are an estimated 25,000 BME people with dementia in the UK. While the number of white, British people with dementia is expected to double by 2051, the numbers of people from BME communities is expected to increase sevenfold within the same timeframe.

Mrs Kwan, who is originally from China, has lived in Bristol with her husband for 45 years and raised their family here. She is now carer to her husband who has dementia. She explains: “Life changes significantly for someone with dementia, and for their carer and family too. It’s really important to get help. In our community, a lot of people don’t know what dementia is, we don’t even have a word for it. This means that lots of people with the disease run the risk of being forgotten.”

Within each of the films, medical experts, people affected by dementia and  members of the relevant communities explain what dementia is, outline how people can gain a diagnosis and access the free support available from the  Dementia Wellbeing Service.

This issue is echoed across many communities, as well as within white-British communities, and one which the films address head on.

Khadra Abdi, who cares for her mother with dementia and is active in the Somali community in Bristol says: “Many older people within our community have limited English language, and when they don’t understand what dementia is it can be very scary. These films explain about the disease and the help available in a simple, clear way, and most importantly in their native language, making it far easier for them to gain a genuine understanding of dementia, get a diagnosis from their GP and to get support from the Dementia Wellbeing Service”.

You can now view the films from our homepage or via our YouTube channel and hardcopies are available from 0117 904 5151

The Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service took part as partner organisation in the research project “The Dementia Experiences of people from Caribbean, Chinese and South Asian communities in Bristol” overseen by University of West of England (UWE) which has just been published. UWE spoke to older people and their families from African-Caribbean, Chinese and South Asian communities in Bristol in order to find out about the experiences of people with dementia.

The service is currently considering the report’s recommendations and will continue to work in partnership with community groups across Bristol to ensure the service is responsive to the needs and challenges for people with dementia across different communities.

A copy of the report can be viewed here and the suplimentary information here.

You can also hear about the experiences of dementia of people from BME communities in this film.

Alzheimer's Society have updated their guides for both LGBT people living with dementia and for those supporting LGBT people with dementia.

If you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or trans and have dementia, these guides talk about the things you can do to remain independent, get the emotional and practical support that’s right for you, and plan for your future.

You may feel that lots of the information and advice you are given, or lots of the support available, isn’t right for you. You may have, or feel you have, different circumstances to heterosexual or cisgender people (someone whose gender identity is the same as the sex they were assigned at birth). This could be because of your experiences, your living arrangements, the support you receive and who you have around you.

Dementia is challenging for everyone, and everyone’s situation will affect what living with dementia is like for them. However, being LGBT and having dementia can present extra difficulties. It can also mean that living well with dementia means something different to you – something that you don’t hear talked about as much.

It’s important to know that you aren’t alone. Support and advice is available, there are services and care settings designed to support you, and the law protects your rights to equal treatment and privacy. By knowing your rights, finding the right support, and planning for your future, it is possible to live well with dementia.