During Dementia Action Week (15 - 21 May 2023) health and social care partners across Birmingham and Solihull worked together to highlight dementia care and services in a week of action - sharing events, resources and support available about the dementia pathway and services. 

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This week also saw the launch of the Birmingham and Solihull Dementia Strategy 2023-2028 and action plan, which aims to improve the lives of people in Birmingham and Solihull with dementia and their carers. You can learn more about this strategy through a recorded presentation with senior integration manager David Fry, which was shared during Dementia Action Week.

Dementia Action Week events diary:

Monday 15 May: our new Birmingham and Solihull Dementia Strategy 2023-2028 is officially launched. Watch this short video with Dr Richard Mendelsohn, Medical Director for Long Term Conditions, Prevention and Population Health Management at NHS Birmingham and Solihull, introducing the new strategy.

Tuesday 16 May: Solihull Adult Social Care attendance at Dementia Marketplace – 9.00-1.00pm at Chelmunds Cross, Three Trees Community Centre. North Solihull PCN in partnership with Alzheimer’s Society will be holding this event. There will also be a Dementia Awareness Morning hosted by Northfield Neighbourhood Network Scheme.

Wednesday 17 May: Online Brain Health Awareness Webinar – Wednesday, 17 May, 12.00-1.30pm – To register for this event: click here

Thursday 18 May: Overview presentation of Birmingham and Solihull Dementia Strategy 2023-2028 to be given at the Alzheimer's Society Annual Conference 2023.  Online session 12.15-1.15pm: 'How local dementia strategies can be developed to improve diagnosis and meet the needs of people affected by dementia'.

Friday 19 May: Birmingham Adult Social Care attendance at Home Instead Dementia Café – Friends event, Sutton Coldfield Methodist Church – 10.00-1.00pm. Event organised by Birmingham Carers Hub.

All week: Dementia letter writing campaign

Birmingham City Council's Public Health Team are running a dementia letter writing campaign - asking people to write a letter to a fictional version of themselves with the disease. The idea is that it will get people thinking about what dementia really is and what it would mean to them, along with the things they may be doing that might make such a potential diagnosis possible. Hopefully, this will make dementia more real to people in the here and now, which in-turn may lead them to them making lifestyle changes that could protect them in the future.

The aim will be for these letters to be collated and displayed in June at the Library Birmingham Wellbeing Zone. For more information and to get involved, please visit the Be Heard website.

Various supporting organisations will be holding events throughout the week
Further Resources
Any queries

Please contact NHS Birmingham and Solihull's Frailty Team via email: nhsbsolicb.ltcfrailty@nhs.net

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Dementia is a disease that affects the brain in different ways, not just our memories. Although more common in older people, it’s not a natural part of ageing. Lifestyle changes could delay or even prevent dementia! Find out more.

In a short video, Edward Roberts, Senior Programme Officer in the Older People's Team in Birmingham City Council Public Health, explains the importance of taking steps to help prevent dementia

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Dementia affects everyone differently and symptoms worsen over time. Early diagnosis is key to staying in control. 

You can live well with dementia, so if you’re worried about memory loss or confusion, talk to your GP. Visit the Alzheimer's Society website to find out more.

In a short video Dr Nadia Wahid explains the importance of getting a diagnosis early which allows early access to support services. 

Nadia also explains the need to visit your GP for concerns about memory loss and confusion and the importance of getting an Annual Dementia Health check. 

Find out more at: 

Hear how Prof Farooq Khan supports in diagnostic support and assessment, ongoing treatment and management of people with Dementia in his role as a Consultant Psychiatrist within Birmingham and Solihull. 

Find out more at: 

 

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Caring for someone with dementia can be rewarding but also challenging. Whether you help with daily activities or offer a friendly chat, you are a carer, but you don’t need to manage dementia alone. Find out more: www.dementiauk.org/get-support/family-and-carer-support/ 

For more on the support available through Birmingham Carers Hub, watch this short video with Georgina Koceli, project manager with Forward Carers – Birmingham Carer’s Hub.

For carer support in Birmingham find out more at:

Home - Birmingham Carers Hub 

We are Forward Carers and we care for carers across the country. 

Home - Crossroads (crossroads-caringforcarers.org) 

For carer support in Solihull

Carers Trust Solihull - Local Carers Support Services Near Me | Carers Trust - Carers Trust 

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Having dementia doesn’t mean stopping the things you enjoy, and life can still be rewarding for those with the dementia and their loved ones. Visit the Alzheimer's Society website to find out how to live well with dementia.

In this video, Jody Dawson. North Solihull PCN and Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia Link Worker, explains how he supports patients in the community with pre- and post-diagnostic support. 

Find out more at: 

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No one wants to think about dementia and dying, but planning for the end of life can be empowering and can help everyone work together to bring calm to an emotional situation. Find out more.

In this video, David Fry, Senior Integration Manager at NHS Birmingham and Solihull, shares what our dementia strategy means to him.