Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It can affect people’s memory, thinking and reasoning.

It's not an inevitable part of ageing. You can help reduce your risk of dementia by keeping socially active and doing activities which provide cognitive stimulation such as puzzles or learning a second language. Adoption of healthier lifestyles in midlife can reduce the risk of dementia. The World Health Organisation recommends reducing the risk or delaying the onset of dementia by helping people to:

  • stop smoking
  • be more active
  • keep socially active and try new things
  • drink less alcohol
  • Eat well and maintain a healthy weight
  • have regular hearing checks
  • know your blood pressure- high blood pressure increases the risk of vascular dementia

Knowing the early signs of dementia

  • Forgetting about recent conversations or events
  • Person repeats themselves
  • Becoming slower at grasping new ideas
  • Losing the thread of what is being said
  • Showing poor judgement and finding it harder to make decisions
  • Loss of interest in other people or activities
  • Blaming others for taking mislaid items
  • Becoming increasingly unwilling to try out new things or adapt to change

What will help support someone with dementia?

  • Keep them connected with friends and family
  • Peer support with other people living with dementia
  • Ensuring their carer's are supported and can access a carer break

Warrington services

Alzheimer's Society 

For further information, guidance and support about living with dementia, please contact the Alzheimer’s Society Office on 0151 420 8010 or email warrington@alzheimers.org.uk

If you or a person you know has been diagnosed as having dementia, the adviser service can provide information and guidance tailored to individuals need.

Dementia support worker service 

A dementia support worker can provide emotional support throughout the journey to enable people with dementia to live as independently as possible. 

For further advice and support, go to Warrington wellbeing.

Dementia café 

The café meets on the first Monday of each month from 10am until 12noon at:

The Clock Tower café

The Gateway

85-101 Sankey Street

Warrington

WA1 1SR

The dementia café welcomes people who have dementia and their carers to meet others in an informal and supportive environment.

The café offers advice and support services, providing emotional support throughout the dementia journey.

Dementia Friends

Dementia Friends is a programme created by the Alzheimer’s Society to give people an understanding of what it's like to live with dementia and the small things everyone can do, to make a difference to people living with the condition.

If you would like to become a dementia friend, visit dementiafriends.org.uk to sign up. You'll receive a friendship information pack and a pin badge to identify you as a dementia friend.

This means that next time you see someone struggling to remember the words to say, getting confused or looking a little lost, you’ll know the right things to say and do to help them to continue to live well, independently.

My Life Warrington

There are lots of dementia groups that you can find out about at mylifewarrington.co.uk

19 July 2023