Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell has paid a visit to the Dementia Resource Centre in Dumfries to find out more about the work they do, and highlight the serious effects of dementia on sufferers and their families across this region.
The Centre is supported by Alzheimer Scotland, an organisation which aims to helps people with dementia, their carers and families.
Based on Gordon Street in the town, the Centre co-ordinates various services across the Dumfriesshire and Nithsdale area including:
• Information and advice
• Care at home service (Dumfries)
• Home support (private purchase/self-directed support)
• Day care (Dumfries, Ecclefechan, Thornhill, Stewartry)
• Carer Liaison Worker – supporting carers whose relative has moved into long term care or who have recently been bereaved
• Carers' courses
• Carer support groups (Dumfries, Castle Douglas, Lockerbie)
• Dementia Lunch Groups
• Memory groups (Dumfries, Castle Douglas)
• Musical Minds singing group
• Early stage/onset support service (Memory Clinic Link Workers)
• Self-management courses
• Football Reminiscence groups
Mr Mundell was extremely impressed with the range of services on offer and the expertise of local staff and their commitment to helping improve and maintain people’s quality of life.
Mr Mundell met with Service Manager, Rosemary McCrae and Dementia Advisor, Mandy Pool, who showed him round and explained the work the centre does on a daily basis. Representing an area with a large aging population Mr Mundell was also keen to find out what more can be done to support those with dementia and ensure that early action is taken as medical evidence suggest this can make a big difference to future treatment and development.
Following his visit local MP David Mundell commented: “The work done by the Dumfries Dementia Resource Centre is making such a difference to the day to day lives of hundreds of people across this area.
“I was very impressed by the services they offer and the commitment and dedication of their staff. All the evidence suggests that early diagnosis and treatment can make a big difference to those who are suffering from dementia. I would urge anyone who feels they or a family member or friend may be suffering alone to contact their GP because there are simple tests and exercises which can be done to identify whether or not you are suffering from the condition.”
He added: “My visit shows there is no need to suffer alone but it also highlights that more needs to be done to support and highlight the work organisations such as this are doing.”
For more information and advice please visit the Alzheimer Scotland website at www.alzscot.org