CHARITY
Covid proves dementia care activity invaluable
Local charity, Essex Dementia Care (EDC) has recently carried out a survey to find out what impact their services have on the wellbeing of their clients, particularly in light of COVID-related restrictions. The results, they report, showed that a large number of those involved with EDC activities had a considerable deterioration in mental health when the support was stopped during lockdown. With Every Day Counts Groups services restarted, albeit with some limitations, respondents to the survey confirmedOur that loved Everytheir Day Counts groups support in the earlier stages of dementia, ones living with dementia were noticeably happier and, in some cases, improvedpeople mentally. helping them to retain existing skills and
Kelly Bleasdale, Senior Manager for EDC, comments: “At Essex Dementia Care, our focus is on enabling those with dementia, as well as their families, to live life to its fullest for as long as possible. This is why we tailor our oneto-one support to the individual, making sure activities focus on their interests so that they are more enjoyable and more stimulating. Our activity centres run group activities covering a range of interests and providing mental stimulus with an opportunity to socialise”. We do all that we can “At Essex Dementia Care, we also understand that it can be hard on the families of those experiencing dementia too. So, we do all that we can to support them as well, by providing advice and a listening ear, as well as time away from their caring role. During the first COVID lockdown, we wanted to do as much as 48
we could to continue being there for these families, so we provided a phone line support, which we were told was invaluable. However, we were also made aware that the absence of EDC activity and social engagement took its toll on a number of those that would usually benefit from our services. We have received feedback stating that some individuals’ mental health deteriorated considerably during lockdown but that they improved greatly after services resumed, thankfully. In one case, communication skills even improved with the return of EDC services and, in another, conditions at home eased too”.
to stay active in the community. Group members might cook their own lunch or spend time out and about exploring places of interest. The main thing is they Forbefurther press will having fun!
information, Groups take place images as follows: and expert comment, Bradwell, Braintree: 11am-4pm on Wednesdays or to arrange an interview and Thursdays with the EDC team,
Broomfield, Chelmsford: Kelly Bleasdale 11am-4pm on Fridays on
01245 363789 or Sandon, Chelmsford: 11am-4pm on Wednesdays
kelly@essexdementiacare. org.uk
We are happy to announce Essex Dementia Care is back to running a full service and our clients are very happy to be back with us. For further information on the work that EDC does, please visit https://www.essexdementiacare.org.uk. To find out how you can support EDC, or to talk to EDC regarding using their services, please call Kelly Bleasdale on 01245 363789.
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July 2021
