A new voice has been given to dementia sufferers by a voluntary organisation in Telford which has teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Society in Shropshire in a bid to improve services for dementia sufferers.
A study of those who have been diagnosed with dementia in Telford has been undertaken by the Telford and Wrekin Senior Citizens Forum ahead of a strategy by the Department of Health which will focus on the needs of sufferers and their carers.
The strategy, which will be aimed at improving NHS and local authority services for dementia, is due to be published in the autumn.
The Telford and Wrekin Senior Citizens Forum has called upon people who have been affected by dementia to come forward and give their views on NHS services.
Dag Saunders chair of the Forum’s Health and Care Action Group said: “The government has recognised that there are many thousands of people living in Britain who amount to a forgotten army of people living under the cloud of dementia.
“We aim to talk to people in Telford and Wrekin who have had a diagnosis, or who have cared for people with dementia, to get their views on how services are currently working and what improvements need to be made.”
Gaenor Bolton secretary of Shropshire Alzheimer’s Society added: “We welcome this initiative with Telford and Wrekin Senior Citizens Forum.”
The study is being co-ordinated through Age Concern Shropshire Telford & Wrekin offices. All information given will be confidential.
Lyn Briggs, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Age Concern Telford & Wrekin said: “”Age Concern Shropshire Telford & Wrekin are delighted to be part of this groundbreaking project helping to empower people’s voices on such an important issue.”
All information given will be confidential. Contact Kester Black Forum Support Worker on 01952 582931 or email kester.black@ageconcernshrops.org.uk.
