Dementia Awareness

General dementia information and support

Dementia is not a natural part of getting older and it’s not just about forgetting things. Find out the five things that you should be aware of.

1. Dementia is not just about memory loss.

Memory problems are a common early sign of dementia, but not for everyone. Other common symptoms of dementia include:

• confusion and needing help with daily tasks – such as shopping or paying bills
• problems with language and understanding – including often being unable to find the right word, or having trouble following a conversation
• changes in behaviour – such as becoming unusually anxious or irritable.

2. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing.

We all forget a name or a face sometimes, especially as we get older. But the changes caused by dementia are different and more serious. Symptoms of dementia can include problems with planning and decision-making, language, and sometimes changes in mood or behaviour.

3. Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain.

Dementia is a group of symptoms. It’s caused by different diseases that damage the brain and stop it from working properly. Different types of dementia damage different parts of the brain.

4. Contact your GP.

If you’re worried about your memory, or about someone else, the first thing to do is make an appointment with the GP. Your GP can take the next steps to get you the support and treatment you need, including checking for other conditions that might be causing symptoms.

5. People can still live well with dementia.

Although there is no cure for dementia yet, support and treatments are available to allow people with dementia to lead active lives and carry on doing the things that matter to them most. There are medicines for some types of dementia that can ease symptoms or slow progression.

Other non-drug approaches that can help with symptoms of dementia include:

• cognitive stimulation, such as doing word puzzles or discussing current affairs
• life story work: sharing memories and experiences with a carer or nurse to create a ‘life story book’
• keeping as active as possible – physically, mentally and socially – which can boost memory

Contact Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Connect support line if you’d like to talk to someone for information, support or advice on 0333 150 3456.

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Other sources for Dementia support

Alzheimer’s support – https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

Wide range of information on Dementia for families, people with dementia and carers.

Find your Islington Directory 

Range of different organisations that support with Dementia through activities or information.

Dementia UK 

Wide range of information including the Dementia Helpline, support for carers, Admiral Nurses and volunteering.

Islington Carers Hub 

Source of information for carers on a range of topics, including Dementia.

Dementia Support Forum

Have you or someone you know been diagnosed with dementia? Join our online community to share experiences with other people affected by dementia.

Islington Life – Online Magazine

Information of the local dementia events taking place in Islington.

Local Islington Dementia information

Check out Islington Life for blogs featuring Park Theatre and Islington Council’s Ecology Centre sharing their journey on becoming a dementia friendly venue and the activities they offer.

A wide range of dementia activities take place within the borough. See Islington Life for full details.

Parks and Recreation

Gillespie Park

• Park Cuppa

Join Islington Ecology Centre Nature Conservation Officer Jo for a gentle walk, which will last for about an hour, around Gillespie Park, Islington’s largest nature reserve followed by free tea and coffee afterwards. No need to book in advance, you can just turn up! The walk welcomes everyone including people living with dementia and their carers.

• Second Tuesday of the month – not including Bank Holidays
• 10.30am – 12pm
• Islington Ecology Centre in Gillespie Park, 191 Drayton Park N5 1PH

For more information, contact Jo at Jo.Corrall@Islington.gov.uk.

See poster for more information.

• Health and Nature walk

Join this monthly walk-in at Gillespie Park, Islington’s largest nature reserve, and watch the seasons change as we talk and chat. The walk is guided by Jo, who will speak about the wildlife and the park’s history. We will walk for around 45 minutes, depending on the attendees. There are several places to stop and sit throughout the park. We will then return to the Ecology Centre for free tea, coffee and biscuits.

• Friday Friday of the month – not including Bank Holidays
• 10am – 11pm
• Islington Ecology Centre in Gillespie Park, 191 Drayton Park N5 1PH

You can book your tickets on Eventbrite.

Singing for the Brain

The Singing for the Brain sessions take place every Monday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. The sessions are designed to promote well-being and build confidence for people with memory problems in Islington.

Location: Hargrave Hall Community Centre, Hargrave Road, London, N19 5SP

For more information, please contact Alzheimer’s Society Islington by calling 0208 121 5626 (9am-5pmm, Monday to Friday) or email Islington@alzheimers.org.uk.

If you would like more information about any of the services available, please call 020 8121 5626 or 07484 089543 or email islington@alzheimers.org.uk.

Memory Group 

You can join the Memory group, every Monday from 11.00am to 12.30pm at Sotheby Day Centre.

Please call David on 07400085886 or the centre on 020 7226 1421 for more details.

Get Together Better session

Come along to our Better Get Together for people aged 60+ at the Sobell Leisure Centre which are run in partnership with Age UK Islington. Sessions take place every Tuesday and Thursday between 10.30am-1pm for just £2.50 a session. Booking can be made on the day at reception.

Discounted Gym Membership offer (60+)

Discounted membership is available for anyone over 60 to attend for £2.45 per session. Unfortunately the badminton and short tennis is unavailable due to the ongoing works at Sobell Leisure Centre, however the other activities are available.

For a range of membership options, click here.

The Better Adult Senior pay and play membership is £6.30 for the year. This includes discounts on a number of activities and also free swimming at off peaks times (8.30am – 4pm Monday to Friday and after 1pm on weekends) at Archway Leisure Centre, Cally Pool & Gym, Ironmonger Row Baths and Highbury Leisure Centre.

For more information, please contact Mikael.Kiviniemi@gll.org.

Arts and Culture

Dementia Choir at Brickworks Community Centre

The Dementia Choir takes place every Monday from 12.30pm to 1.30pm at Brickworks Community Centre. The centre is looking for singers to join their brand new singing group, The Dementia Choir, for people living with dementia. No experience is required. The meetings aim to be a relaxed and fun way to meet other people who know what it’s like living with or supporting a loved one with dementia. Music will range from jazz, country to show tunes. You can find out more from choir leader, Rona about the benefits of singing for people with dementia in this Islington Life blog.

If you would like more information, please contact Caroline by emailing admin@hanleycrouch.org.uk or calling 02072631067.

Museum of London

The Museum of London offers a range of dementia-friendly activities through their programme Memories of London. They offer onsite and online programmes including monthly online ‘Time For A Cuppa’ workshops, led by artists, and are looking forward to re-starting their onsite dementia-friendly tours, intergenerational programmes and more. They also have a host of resources on their website to download including Creative and Connected booklets and podcasts co-created with those affected by dementia. The Museum of London Museum also lead on the new Dementia Friendly Venues Charter, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society and GLA, which aims to make the cultural sector accessible for all those affected by dementia. For more information, visit their website.

Park Theatre

The Park Theatre run regular dementia friendly showings of their plays, accompanied by a dementia friendly guide. They deliver  reminiscence drama sessions and free choir for people living with dementia and their carers. See below for links to their activities.

Park Theatre Reminiscence classes – every Monday 10:30 – 12:30 Reminiscence | Creative Learning | Park Theatre

A free, weekly drama-based session for thos living with dementia and their carers. The focus is on gentle, creative expression through a combination of art, tai chi, music and movement.

Together In Time Singing Group – Together in Time is a fun, friendly and free weekly singing class for those living with dementia and their carers.

Together In Time Singing Group | Creative Learning | Park Theatre

Park Theatre Accessible performances – Park Theatre provide a range of accessible performances each season. These include Captioned, Audio Described, Relaxed and Dementia Friendly Performances. Scripts and cast lists are available in large print on request. Access Information | Park Theatre

Arts4dementia – Arts for Brain health workshops

The workshops are for adults with:

• early stage dementia
• mild cognitive impairment
• memory worries who have yet to receive a formal diagnosis, or are going through memory assessment

You can self-refer into the programmes, but can also be referred by your social prescriber.

Arts4dementia Chatty Wednesdays

A weekly opportunity for people with early-stage dementia and their companions to enjoy an hour of creative making and discussion from the comfort of their own home. 

Sessions take place every Wednesday, from 2pm to 3pm on Zoom.

Discover Science and Sculpture at the Science Museum

The Science Museum programme will take place between 9 June and 14 July, every Thursday from 10.30am to 1.30pm.

Each session will focus on different objects from the medicine galleries, highlighting some of the fascinating themes such as representations of the human body and​ imaging in medicine.  Participants will experiment with different mediums of sculpture, inspired by the marvellous stories showcased in the galleries. Lunch will be provided after the session to give participants the opportunity to socialise.