With around 3,000 people believed to have dementia in Havering, the borough is marking Dementia Awareness Week (20-26 May 2019) by continuing to raise awareness of the illness.
Havering has the largest population of people over the age of 65 in Greater London, and as the people are living longer, that figure is set to increase.
During Dementia Awareness Week, Havering Council has a number of events lined up to help raise awareness of people with dementia, their carers and anyone interested in finding out about dementia.
As part of the Havering Dementia Action Alliance, the Council has been working closely with other organisations to host the events.
Councillor Jason Frost, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care Services, said:
“Dementia is one of the most serious issues facing our generation and is a particularly hot topic for Havering, with the highest number of older people in Greater London.
“We’ve worked really hard to achieve dementia-friendly status for the borough by working with organisations to help them better understand the needs of people with dementia.
“For example, the Mercury Mall has introduced silent Tuesdays – where no music is played in the main shopping area, which makes shopping less confusing and more pleasant for shoppers. Also, the main Tesco supermarkets have trained their front reception staff to support people with dementia and are happy to help with personal shopping.
“We are proud to work with forward thinking organisations locally in Havering who put the needs of some of our most vulnerable residents at the heart of the way they run their business.”
Events
Monday 20 May 2019
- Information table in the Atrium at Queen's Hospital, 9.30am-3pm.
- Spring tea party, St John's Hall, Mountnessing, 12.30pm. Admission free. Contact Leah or Tracy on 07940 231609
Tuesday 21 May 2019
- Havering Dementia Action Alliance Garden Party, Whittaker Hall, Hornchurch, 1pm-3.30pm. £10 per person. Free for carers of people with dementia. Contact HDAA co-ordinator Susan Anderson on 01708 431249 or susan.anderson@havering.gov.uk
- Community Dementia Workshop, Baytree Shopping Centre, Brentwood, from 10.30am. To book a place contact Lorraine Bond or Steve Willoughby on 01277 822858
Wednesday 22 May 2019
- Singing for the Brain with Pearly Queen, St Michael's Church, Gidea Park. £3 donation for refreshments.
Friday 24 May 2019
- Bothered and Bewildered, a Spotlight Theatre Production about Alzheimer's Disease, Collier Row Methodist Church, 91 Clockhouse Lane, RM5 3QP. 8pm. Tickets £10 or £5 for seniors. Contact spotlight_theatre@aol.com for more information.
Saturday 25 May 2019
- Bothered and Bewildered, a Spotlight Theatre Production about Alzheimer's Disease, Collier Row Methodist Church, 91 Clockhouse Lane, RM5 3QP. 8pm. Tickets £10 or £5 for seniors. Contact spotlight_theatre@aol.com for more information.
Wednesday 29 May 2019
- Launch of BHRUT dementia strategy, Queen's Hospital, Romford.
Thursday 13 June 2019
- Alzheimer's Cupcake Day, Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch. Email robyn.carlson@alzheimers.org.uk for details.