Safety in the Home day

To celebrate Older People's Day 1st October, albeit slightly late, Age UK Trafford are having a Safety in the Home event on Monday 3rd October.

Pop in to our shop at 20a Station Road, Urmston between 10.00 am - 1.00 pm for information on:

Trafford Telecare - advice on equipment and adaptations that can help you live safely in your own home

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service for advice on fire safety in the home

Greater Manchester Police Community Support Officers for advice on staying safe

Plus information from Trafford's Trading Standards service

Everyone welcome.

Home safety can be a particular worry for people with memory loss / diagnosed dementia who live alone, and their families, so why not come down and find out how to have more peace of mind with independent living?

For further information please contact 0161 746 3940 (information and advice) or dementia advisers on 0161 746 3944.

Newhaven Peer Support

It is that time again - I don't know where the month has gone, but tomorrow is our next peer support group at Newhaven.

People with dementia are welcome along with their carers to meet others, have a chat, share information and experience, and of course enjoy themselves.

We're at Newhaven Extra Care, Tulip Drive, Timperley, WA15 6LW from 10:00 - 1:00. 

Just drop in or if you want to speak to us, don't hesitate to call on 0161 746 3944. 

On another note, it seems like a good time to remind that the seasonal flu vaccinations are available on the NHS to:

Anyone over 65
The main carer of an older or disabled person (including dementia)
All pregnant women
Anyone in the clinical risk groups as listed on this page: http://mediacentre.dh.gov.uk/2011/09/22/time-to-get-your-flu-vaccine/

Not everyone likes needles, but surely a sharp scratch and a bit of a sore arm are better than a stay in hospital, the stress of finding alternative care and risk of further complications. 

Contact your surgery for information on appointments.  

Early diagnosis and support: Why should we access before we 'need' to?

Dementia is challenging. For a start, the word encompasses a range of diseases, each of which is complex and can be variable between one person and the next. Dementia also occupies a unique position between health and social care systems – which respectively use ‘medical’ and ‘social’ models when looking at assessing and treating “Need”, and which are powerful institutions that pre-date person-centred or flexible concepts of care. Physical disease processes that are not fully understood and presently beyond medical cure, the outward symptoms present socially, rather than medically, and so primary health care professionals don’t always see the need for medical interest or intervention.  In addition, while disability movements have striven to change social and cultural attitudes towards ‘disability’ in recent decades, dementia again sits on the edge of this revolution. Dementias are not easily detected as a ‘physical’ complaint, and uncertainty as to what is ‘wrong’ can lead to suspicion, discomfort, stigma and association with mental ill health which has its own battle to fight against stigmatising attitudes.

Dementia is also closely associated with the dreaded inevitability of old age. Perceptions of old age, whilst changing, tend to be of a homogeneous, vulnerable group, despite the fact that diversity increases as we get older. It is easier to map the general social and physical development of children than it is of older people, yet the arbitrary era of ‘old age’ is assumed to be one of decline and burden, and therefore less attracting of interest and concern. If people use their personal experience as a basis for campaigning for change, it will be too late to change or influence, for example, provision of residential care, by the time we need it. As is the general issue with preventing, it is easier not to broach a problem if we don’t have to. There is also an expectation that younger people shouldn’t be interested in older people – this dementia adviser is 30 years old, and often receives comments about being too young to be bothered about old age. But the challenges of dementia don’t stop there – if only it was exclusively ‘older people’ who develop dementia. As with many diseases, while the risks increase the longer we live, it occurs in people who are not yet ‘old’, and these people again sit on the edge of convention – not only do they have to come to terms with an incurable disease at a time when they may remain in employment, but they do not fit in to the expectation of old age or the traditional home and day care packages that do not really fully serve the older generations. There is innovation and initiative that is starting to amend this, but in a time of austerity it is not yet happening on the widespread scale that is needed.  

Then, of course, we come to the diversity of the individuals affected by a diverse selection of diseases, with a diverse set of symptoms. Each person, within each family, will respond differently and take a different approach to dealing with the conditions.

The consensus seems to be that concerns about dementia are best addressed as early as possible, to give the best chance of using any available medication to its fullest potential, to address underlying health conditions that can be treated, and of course to access the information and support that can help people adjust and steer round problems rather than relying on crisis resolution. Of course, being of social and diverse nature, personality is important, and getting to know those who are able to help is integral to their ability to support appropriately.

One natural response to a diagnosis of early stage dementia is to continue living ‘as normal’ for as long as possible, before the inevitable intervention by those big institutions who will look after us when we need. While this seems logical and sensible in the face of a disease that is degenerative, progressive and incurable, it actually reinforces the attitudes of old, that nothing can be done so why bother, and puts people at a greater risk of crisis, placing a heavier, more costly demand on services in the long run. Essentially nothing will change as long as people continue to seek help when they 'need' it, i.e. when they can no longer cope, have broken relatipnships and have recurrent hospital admissions.

But how to persuade people to accept support that encourages people to adjust routines, relationships, expectation and knowledge that have been ingrained over a number of decades? Especially when this goes against the still conventional wisdom that dementia equates to a set of inevitable consequences that require removal from visible society, when medical attitudes remain inconsistent and separate to social care provision, which itself can be fragmented between departments within one local authority.  Whilst we are still searching for the elusive understanding that can stop, reverse or better still prevent, the dementias, the individual, social and cultural attitudes towards living with dementia are the crucial determinant of quality of life that people with dementia, and their families, can lead. By becoming actively involved in local dementia projects, encouraging others to take the leap and be active, people with dementia can not only help their own lives and potentially change their future, but they will be helping the wider scale shift in attitudes that is absolutely necessary if dementia is to have the recognition and understanding that is needed to manage the continued upward trend of prevalence. Each individual needs to be counted and visible for the diversity to be fully appreciated and provided for in care provision and wider society.

Age UK Trafford dementia support can be contacted on 0161 746 3944. See previous posts for peer support details.

 These ideas presented are very general and not intended to be taken as conclusions of any research or absolute values.  Comments welcome.

The World Alzheimer Association acknowledges that early diagnosis can lead to improved outcomes, better access to support, including “1 Optimising current medical management, 2 Relief gained from better understanding of symptoms, 3 Maximising decision-making autonomy, 4 Access to services, 5 Risk reduction, 6 Planning for the future, 7 Improving clinical outcomes, 8 Avoiding or reducing future costs, 9 Diagnosis as a human right” (p.27 http://www.alz.co.uk/research/WorldAlzheimerReport2011.pdf).    

Department of Health information, including link to the national dementia strategy: http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/category/policy-areas/social-care/dementia/

iTea and Biscuits

This week Age UK is celebrating the benefits of being able to use technology as an 'older person'. As well as being able to use social networking which can reduce isolation for carers who are unable to easily go out, you can do online shopping, find out information about services such as NHS and social services, as well as local charities such as Age UK Trafford, find out what is going on in your local community, send photos of your grandchildren to that cousin in Australia....and all from the comfort of your own home, at a time that suits you. You can even change the size of the text to one that is easier to read. 

Computer technology, including the internet, shouldn't be a substitute for social interaction and the communication and information tools we use every day, but it can be a useful addition.

If you know of someone of age 55 or over who doesn't already use a computer, but who would like to learn, or who you feel would benefit from learning, please contact the Age UK Trafford office on 0161 746 9752, or pop in to our Urmston office to find out more about our silver surfer courses.

The Urmston office is having an iTea and biscuits open day on Saturday 24th September 11:00 - 3:00 for people to call in and speak to our silver surfer tutors about the computer courses we run.

Carers of people with dementia are at a particularly high risk of becoming socially isolated. It may be difficult to leave their loved-one alone at home, in addition friends may stop calling, and the general stress of being a carer, not least having many appointments and loss of sleep or amended 'awakening hours' means social events may be put 'on the back burner'.

If you are a carer of a person with dementia and have used a computer to help you in any way as a carer, we would love to hear how, so that others can also find out. Please feel free to comment on this blog, e-mail at dementia.adviser@ageuktrafford.org.uk or use the good old telephone on 0161 746 3944. You may also have concerns about using technology, and we welcome comments and questions that address these.

Information on Age UK Trafford iTea and bicuits 0161  746 9752

Age UK national campaign http://www.ageuk.org.uk/work-and-learning/technology-and-internet/volunteer/become-a-digital-champion/?ito=1890&itc=0 

Alzheimer's Research UK Talks

Details of speakers will be announced. Steve Chew-Graham is coming to our peer support tomorrow 16th September - all carers welcome to join us. Wellington House, Sandy Lane, Stretford, M32 9BT from 10:00 - 12:30. Contact Lise on 746 3944 for further information.

Peer Support Groups

An up to date list of our peer support groups and drop- ins.


Butler Court, Lacy Street, Stretford, M32 8LR 1:00 - 3:30 pm

1st Wednesday of the month: 5th October, 2nd November, 7th December, 4th January etc


High Lee House, Broad Road, Sale, M33 2HL 10:00 - 12:30 have a brew and a chat and see our day support service in action

2nd Wednesday of the month: 14th September, 12th October, 9th November14th December


Newhaven Court, Tulip Drive, Timperley, WA15 6LW 10:00 - 13:00

Last Tuesday of the month: 27th September, 25th October, 29th November


Carers group

Wellington House, Sandy Lane, Stretford, M32 9BT 10:00 - 12:30

3rd Friday of the month: 16th September, 21st October, 18th November, 16th December


Drop In Services




Newhaven - every Tuesday morning from 10:00 - 1:00 talk in confidence to a dementia adviser


Kempton Court, Ascot Avenue, Sale, M33 4GU - every Tuesday afternoon from 2:00 - 4:30, dementia advice and carers centre support available.


As always contact us on 0161 746 3944

Carers Peer Support 16th September

The September meeting of our carers peer support group is this Friday, 16th September, at Wellington House, Sandy Lane, Stretford, from 10:00 - 12:30.


Anyone who cares for someone with memory loss / diagnosed dementia, or is worried about someone with memory loss is welcome to come along, say hello and find out what we're all about. There is no charge and we are as friendly a group as you'll ever see.


We also have a special guest joining us - Mr Stephen Chew-Graham from Brains for Dementia Research is coming to talk with those who wish to find out about the exciting and necessary work that is going on to improve understanding of the diseases that cause dementia and potential prevention or treatment.


Please do not hesitate to contact Lise at Age UK Trafford 0161 746 3944 if you wish to speak before coming to peer support. We understand it is not always easy, but as a carer recently commented, if you're unsure, take a deep breath and come.  What is the worst that can happen?


A slightly dodgy cup of tea and biscuits of dubious origin, that's what. Well we're not gourmet caterers, you know.


Hope to see you there.

Trafford Dementia Blog Launched

Hello and welcome to the Age UK Trafford Dementia Advice and Peer Support Network blog, otherwise known as Forget Me Not. The blog will be a place for people to keep up to date with our service, add comments and ideas, and contribute towards. Age UK Trafford aims to give people with memory loss in Trafford a voice, and enable them to live life to the full.

This blog will include updates of new events planned, including trips out and talks, as well as links to useful information, and will bring the peer support network interactions to a digital dimension .

So, let me introduce Age UK Trafford. We are an independent charity which aims to improve quality of life for people over the age of 50 in Trafford, including a general information and advice service, handy person, and silver surfer courses. In addition, we provide insurance services to the general popultation and have two shops that offer quality donated goods as well as a fancy dress outlet in Sale Moor.

Our extensive care services include specialised dementia day support, as well a general day support, dementia advice and peer support, home from hospital through Trafford General Hospital, and a telecare / residential care support broker. We also host Trafford Caring for Carers Partnership (TCCP) who support carers of people with mental health issues throughout the borough.

For further information and contact details, please visit our website:

http://www.ageuktrafford.org.uk/ and browse at your leisure.

I hope you enjoy the blog and look forward to working with our peer groups to create an interesting, informative and essential interactive space for people living with dementia in Trafford.

Bye For Now...