A free dementia awareness event has been hailed as a success.
Speedwell Court, a Southampton care home run by the charity Abbeyfield Living Society, hosted the event on May 30 for carers, supporters, and professionals working with people with dementia.
The day featured a series of workshops and seminars led by experts from Abbeyfield Living Society, the NHS, and the University of Southampton.
These sessions provided insight, tips, and information about dementia.
Ewa Sojka, deputy manager at Speedwell Court, opened the event with a personal reflection on the challenges of caring for people with dementia.
This was followed by a presentation from NHS research nurse Leanne Cunningham.
She gave an overview of the Memory Assessment and Research Centre, an award-winning organisation that aims to improve diagnosis and treatment for people with dementia.
Delphine Boche, professor of neuroimmunopathology at the University of Southampton, delivered a session on neuroimmunology and neurodegeneration.
Her session was described by attendees as a "brilliant update on the latest research."
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In the afternoon, attendees participated in an interactive simulation workshop run by the Abbeyfield Living Society team.
This allowed them to experience the daily challenges faced by people living with dementia.
The day concluded with a presentation by Val Down on Dementia Friends, a programme run by the Alzheimer's Society, and how people can support those with dementia in their local community.
Attendees, who included carers and family members of people with dementia, left the event with a better understanding of the condition and knowledge of local support services.
One attendee described the event as "emotional" and appreciated the chance to learn more about the condition in a "relaxing environment."
Another attendee, a volunteer and relative of someone with dementia, said: "I would recommend the day to other professionals and supporters of charities, so they can get a deeper insight into the condition and see some rays of hope."
Justine Owen, customer relations manager at Speedwell Court, said: "Our dementia awareness days ensure that Speedwell Court remains at the forefront of dementia care and support in Hampshire.
"These events provide a great opportunity to learn from each other, and the great feedback we receive proves they continue to remain informative, relevant and, for some, a truly invaluable resource."
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