“People with dementia can still play an active part in society.”
That was the main message coming from a dementia awareness event held in Irvinestown on Tuesday which was addressed by a dementia sufferer who reminded the gathering: “We are still people. I am still me.”

Organised by The Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia NI and the Western Health and Social Care Trust, the event at the Arc Healthy Living Centre aimed to raise awareness about living with dementia.

Irvinestown is currently working with The Alzheimer’s Society with a view to becoming a Dementia Friendly Community; a place where local businesses, health providers and community groups have a responsibility to make sure people with dementia feel active, engaged and valued.

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“It doesn’t surprise me that Irvinestown wants to take the lead on this; we are a very innovative small town,” commented Kate Heaver, who was attending the event.

Retired Irvinestown GP, Margaret Elliott welcomed Irvinestown’s drive to become dementia friendly and commended Tuesday’s event for raising awareness about the condition that can sometimes affect the vision, hearing and dexterity of sufferers. 
“People used to be kept away because families didn’t know how to deal with it,” commented Dr. Elliott. “There was no such thing as Alzheimer’s.

Once you were over 70 you were doating. There was no awareness but now dementia is a definite entity,” she added, “It is important to keep doing the activities you were doing before the diagnosis – keep in the community.”

Founder of Dementia NI, John McErlean told how he was diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia six years ago. He explained that “the simplest tasks in life are some days not easy for me” and outlined trips to the shop where he cannot think what he has come in for and has had to go home empty handed, or, making his way through airports, where he has to read and re-read signs in order to find his way. He advised audience members to “take that little bit more time and be understanding” with dementia sufferers, adding: “We will get there for you.”

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He observed that “a lot of people with dementia live their life in total denial; that’s wrong. Let them get out there and play a part in society.”
A video told how Ulster Bank and the Western Trust are working to become dementia friendly e.g. Bank staff are aware that aggressive or upset behaviour are often an emotional reaction to having dementia and The Trust have ‘purple folders’ which contain the names, ages, likes and interests of patients with dementia so the nurses can make them more at ease. To find out about local services for dementia sufferers contact the Fermanagh branch of the Alzheimer’s Society on 028 6634 4073.