A charity set up by people with dementia is taking their message out into the Carrickfergus community to explain what life is like to live with dementia and to challenge the associated negative assumptions, in the hope that others will be more accepting and tolerant of the symptoms, and helpful towards people living with the condition.
Dementia NI is an organisation that was set up by five people living with dementia, their message, that life still goes on following a diagnosis. Their aim was to set up groups throughout Northern Ireland solely for people living with dementia. To meet on a regular basis, offer each other peer support through social gatherings, and to raise awareness about dementia.
‘Many who first hear that they have dementia feel isolated, deskilled and afraid’, said Ashleigh Davis, the charity’s empowerment officer. ‘Dementia NI assist these people to remain valued citizens who can still play a beneficial part within their communities.’
Dementia NI members wish to highlight the benefits gained from meeting others in similar positions.
“When people try to stop you from doing things after a dementia diagnosis, it makes you feel worthless and leaves you feeling like a child. It takes away your dignity and self-respect
and leads to feelings of frustration and eventually anger. You lose your sense of independence and can even make you feel like a prisoner in your own home. The relief that there was someone out there to help and understand me was so overwhelming. When I joined Dementia NI, I wasn’t alone anymore and that was such a fantastic feeling.” – Dementia NI Member, Anne.
Dementia NI is currently establishing a group in Carrickfergus specifically for people living with dementia and is reaching out to others to support people with the diagnosis within the local community.
Dementia NI highlight how keeping active and connected within the local community has retained skills and assisted in reducing isolation, alleviating boredom, and possible depression. Members felt this important, to prove to the public that they can still live well after a diagnosis of dementia and are very capable of partaking in everyday activities the same as everyone else.
Members regularly give talks during Dementia NI awareness sessions, they challenge the stigma of having a diagnosis, dispelling preconceptions surrounding the condition and educate about what it is like to live with dementia, in the hope that others will become more understanding.
“We have a very important job to do in challenging the stigma. While I have dementia, I can still do things for myself and make decisions; I just need society to allow me the time to do it in my way.” – Dementia NI Member, John.
Get involved…
If you are interested in learning more about dementia, come along to listen to people living with dementia share their experiences and explain more about living with their symptoms on
Wednesday 2nd August in Carrickfergus Community Forum from 10.30am
Please RSVP to Ashleigh at ashleigh@dementiani.org. For more information on Dementia NI empowerment groups within your area, please contact Dementia NI on Tel: 02890 686768 or Email: info@dementiani.org
