Visitors to the East Hampshire Dementia Festival will be able to get the best advice free of charge on how to help their loved ones live well with dementia.
The annual event is a showcase of the help and support that’s available for families touched by the condition.
It is run in partnership between EHDC and Petersfield Dementia Friends and will be held on 10 March, 10am-3.30pm at Petersfield Festival Hall.
The event includes opportunities to speak to people who can offer you practical, real-life guidance, complete with the chance to ask questions about your own situation.
As well as presentations by professionals there will be around 30 local businesses and charities offering services that will help you and your family.
Presentations on the day:
Legal advice from K J Cox Solicitors
10–10.30am and 1.30pm-2pm
KJ Cox is a legal firm based in Bordon that will give easy-to-understand legal advice on power of attorney and how to manage your finances following a dementia diagnosis
Community Mental Health Team
10.45–11.15am
Presented by Dr Bibawy the talk will offer support to older people who are experiencing mental health and memory problems
Dementia Carers Count Q&A session
12-12.30pm and 2.15-2.45pm
This session offers support for those who care for people with dementia. This is your chance to ask questions on what support is out there for you as a carer.
Andover Mind
12.45– 1.15pm
Andover Mind provides support across Hampshire to people living with dementia and their carers.
Cllr Julie Butler, EHDC Deputy Leader, said: “When you are first faced with a dementia diagnosis, for yourself or for someone in your family, it can be difficult to know what to do.
“There is a lot to think about and a lot to sort out. The presentations we are hosting at the Dementia Festival are from some of the area’s leading experts in this issue and they can give you the best advice you can get, completely free.
“If you, or someone you love, is living with dementia then come along to the festival and find out everything you need to know. You will be surprised about how much help and support there is out there for you and your family.”
As well as great advice, the event will offer activities suitable for people with dementia, such as music and crafts, and a chance to meet and chat with people who share similar experiences.
Come for the information and stay for the great atmosphere and fun, dementia-friendly activities, such as:
- Memory Café, serving free refreshments
- Nostalgic music with ‘South Downs Ukeleles’
- Petersfield Dementia Choir
- Support and advice to stay safe and well
- Information and practical advice from 30+ organisations
Jeff Williams, of Petersfield Dementia Friends, said: “More and more people are being affected by dementia. We are quite an old population already and we are getting older still, so it will become an issue for more and more families as time goes on.
“But it is always important to remember that there’s lots you can do to help someone live well with dementia by keeping active and keeping your brain healthy and exercised.
“At the Dementia Festival there’s all the expert advice, legal support, medical support, compassion and companionship you could hope for.”
There are more than 18,000 people in Hampshire with dementia and it is estimated to affect one in six people over 80 and one in 14 over 65.
Get in touch
To find out more contact Callum Christie or Hannah Robbins at East Hampshire District Council - Callum.Christie@easthants.gov.uk or Hannah.Robbins@easthants.gov.uk - or Jeff Williams, Dementia Friends Champion, Petersfield on 07849 195702.