Dementia Awareness Week 2023
We’ll be celebrating Dementia Awareness Week from 22nd – 28th May (a week later than the UK), and this year, we’re focusing on risk reduction – choosing to raise awareness of how adopting simple healthy lifestyle habits can help people lower their risk of dementia.
1 in 3 cases of dementia could be prevented by making healthy lifestyle choices.
Although getting older is the biggest risk factor for dementia, evidence shows that making healthy lifestyle choices, such as staying active, eating healthy and exercising your mind can all play a part in reducing your risk.
We have a number of events and activities planned to help raise awareness of brain health, dementia and the support available to those living with and affected by dementia in Jersey. Here’s how you can get involved:
Free 1 hour Dementia Friends lunchtime sessions
Become a Dementia Friend! We’ll be hosting two lunchtime sessions at Santandar Work Café, giving islanders the opportunity to gain more of an understanding of what it’s like to live with dementia and how to turn that understanding into action to help support others living with dementia.
The sessions will be free to attend, and you can book via Eventbrite below.
Information stalls
Dementia Jersey staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions about dementia and the support available, as well as sharing top tips to keep your brain healthy. You will also be able to purchase some merchandise, like our much-loved branded canvas bags!
Brook Street
Monday 22nd May
Wednesday 24th May
Friday 26th May
Time: 10am-2pm
St Clement Market
Monday 20th May
Time: 9.30am-2pm
Waitrose, St Saviour
Tuesday 23rd May
Time: 10am-3pm
NatWest International, Library Place
Thursday 25th May
Time: 10am-3pm
There are currently 1,600 people in Jersey living with dementia. For each person with dementia, seven other people – spouse, partner, carer, family and friends – are affected and need advice and support too.
Bag Packing at COOP Grand Marche
Dementia volunteers and corporate partners, including Radisson and Ocorian, will be on the tills at Coop Grand Marche St.Helier on Thursday 25th May, bag packing to help raise money for our charity.
Exercise Roadshow
The Exercise Roadshow 10th Anniversary Tour “This is Me” will take place at St. Martin’s Public Hall on Friday 19th May 2023 and will give people the opportunity to come along and try out different exercise classes.
Each session will be no longer than 20 minutes, making them the perfect taster sessions for people looking to try something new. Find out more and book your space here
Abseil at Val de la Mare
On Sunday 21st May, 40 islanders will be taking on the challenge of abseiling 27 metres down Val de la Mare dam. Although we no longer have spaces for this epic challenge, you can get involved by showing them some support and making a donation towards the challenge via https://www.dementia.je/abseil2023/
Dementia is the fastest growing disease on the island and the Government predict that cases will double by 2036.
Wear your Forget Me Not badge
Help show people affected by dementia that they are not alone by wearing your Forget Me Not badge. When you donate at any of the above events, or at our office, you will receive a badge in honour of someone affected by dementia. Wear your badge in honour of someone or to simply help raise awareness.
We all have a role to play in making Jersey a dementia friendly island, and that’s what Dementia Awareness Week is all about. Getting involved could be as simple as signing up to a free Dementia Friends session on a lunch break, popping by the awareness stall for a chat or making a donation.
If you have any questions about how you can get involved, please give us a call on 01534 723519 or email nadine@dementia.je
