Teatime fun helps celebrate Dementia Awareness Day at Kingsleigh

Home news

Oct 03, 2011

A fun-packed afternoon of Alice in Wonderland-inspired activities for residents and their families at  Kingsleigh marked the end of a week of celebration and awareness-raising around dementia recently.

The Queen, Duchess, Alice and all their friends entertained residents as part of national Dementia Awareness Day, which aims to highlight the help available to people with dementia and their families. It also helps to tackle some of the issues affecting the 570,000 people in England currently living with dementia.

The party was the finale to a series of events, created by residents and staff, entitled ‘The Faces of Dementia’. Pauline Dolan, the home’s activity co-ordinator and dementia lead, explained: “There are a lot of preconceptions about dementia and who has it.

“In Care UK’s dementia day centres, visitors with early on-set dementia come in from their mid-40s and 50s. It can affect anyone, but it doesn’t have to take away your life, your relationships or your interests.”

The residents and staff took part in a swim-a-thon to celebrate National Alzheimer’s Day. Pauline said: “Everyone was really committed to doing their best and they had a great deal of fun too.”

To finish the awareness-raising, local entertainer Mr Hat joined the tea party. Pauline said: “The staff have been working hard to create some wonderful costumes and collecting mismatched crockery and teapots for our Mad Hatter’s Tea Party. Residents have joined in with making decorations and helping to plan the event and everyone had a wonderful time.

“It was a fun-filled event but with a serious message. Life really doesn’t have to stop with a diagnosis of dementia; with the right treatment and care, those we love can stay independent and active.”