Help and advice about dementia at a series of Doncaster drop-ins

The Dementia Bus will visit different locations across the borough each day from Monday to Friday, with no appointment needed to head down for free advice from local and national organisations.

Rob Moore, director at in-home care provider Home Instead Doncaster who have organised the drop-in centres, said: “I really hope this free drop-in service helps puts peoples minds at ease as they learn what to look for as their loved ones age and plan for the future.

“Our experience is the common symptoms such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating can go unnoticed at first, we want people to be aware of the possibilities so they can spot them.

“It’s all about arming people with the information so they can help themselves or their loved ones maintain independence and a high quality of life.”

The use of the Rotherham Doncaster & South Humber NHS Foundation Trust health bus for this purpose is being organised by Home Instead Doncaster to mark Dementia Action Week.

Rob says understanding any required changes in communication is one of the most important ways to help your loved one who has dementia symptoms.

He added: "Listening to what people say is always important, but if you're caring for someone with dementia it is really important.

"Over time dementia can affect someone's ability to remember basic facts and will affect the way they communicate, it may come down to you to start conversations.

"You can also utilise non-verbal communication methods, holding someone's hand while talking to them for instance can have a real calming effect.

"Of course everyone is an individual which is why we're putting experts together in the same place across the week."

Dementia Action Week runs from Monday May 17 to Friday May 21.

The Dementia Bus will be in the car parks of the following venues from 10am-5pm:

Monday May 17: Walkers Nurseries & Garden Centre

Tuesday May 18: Sainsbury's, Edenthorpe

Wednesday May 19: Markham Grange Garden Centre

Thursday May 20: Morrisons, York Road

Friday May 21: Lakeside Village Outlet Shopping

No booking is required.

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