Published on: 18th May 2016
With around 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia, the local mental health trust is encouraging people to learn how to live well with a diagnosis during Dementia Awareness Week (15-21 May 2016).
A diagnosis of dementia may often come as a shock; however it doesn't mean that people can't live a fulfilling and meaningful life post diagnosis.
Lincolnshire Recovery College (run by Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust), occupational therapists and the University of Lincoln have come together to design a course for people living with the early stages of dementia and their carers. The pilot "Living well with dementia" course will start on 27 June 2016 in Lincoln. The eight sessions will cover how to maintain an active lifestyle, practical ways of managing memory difficulties and everyday activities, planning for the future and developing coping strategies to live well. Participants will also learn about what help is available locally and how to access it.
Carol Duff, Consultant Occupational Therapist at LPFT and Senior Lecturer at the University of Lincoln said:
We want to improve people's quality of life by teaching them and their carers about living well with dementia. Through our course we would like to promote the principles of recovery and hope and give people the tools to be as independent as possible.
A diagnosis of dementia doesn't mean that someone's life is over. People can still live a normal life with some adjustments and support from their family and friends.
Emma Bristow, Recovery College Coordinator said:
We are very excited to be able to offer this course to the residents of Lincolnshire. Our course will be an opportunity for people living with dementia and their carers to meet and network with other people living with the condition and learn that life doesn't end with the diagnosis.
We are also looking for people with lived experience of dementia to help us design, improve and co-deliver the course. This ethos of co-production and co-delivery with 'experts by experience' is a core principle of the Recovery College and adds a valuable perspective to the courses we run.
If you are interested in enrolling on the course, or helping to design or deliver it, please contact the Recovery College on recoverycollege@lpft.nhs.uk 01522 573544.
The Trust is also recruiting people living with dementia and their carers for national and local research studies. If you'd like to learn more please go to research pages.
