Powys Dementia Network – starting off the new decade

Powys Dementia Network continues to meet at least twice each year in different parts of the county. We wrote about the summer 2019 day, where we were treated to a surprise visit from the children taking part in Hafren School’s intergeneration project, here.

The first event of the new decade took place in January 2020 at Crossgates near Llandrindod Wells. Sue Newham, who is an Engagement Officer in the Health and Wellbeing team at PAVO, helped organise this latest day, and reports back for us now on how the network is growing and evolving to try and meet the varied needs of those attending and looking to find out more about dementia initiatives across this vast county of Powys.

The Powys Dementia Network aims to bring together those living with dementia and their carers, and third sector and statutory organisations providing services for these people. It is funded by Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations and Dementia Matters in Powys.

Getting the balance right has always been an issue, as the needs of organisations who attend and have a table on which to display their literature, are different to the needs and desires of those living with dementia. The number of individuals attending has always been smaller: 3 in February 2019, 6 in July 2019 and 6 in January 2020. Overall attendance varies between 28 and 42. Venues cycle between north, mid and south Powys and the events are held every 6 months. 

Deborah Gerrard, Chief Officer of Dementia Matters in Powys

The general structure of the day has evolved, and with strong input from Dementia Matters in Powys, the last event included a period of practical activities, including drumming, art and story-telling. People could refresh themselves at a “water bar” with a selection of waters flavoured with fruit, and there was the opportunity to experience virtual reality trips to the beach and the countryside. These activities enabled people to chat and share their stories, and proved a very popular part of the day.

Feedback from the last event was very positive with more than half of the participants rating it as excellent and the remainder rating it as good. No one rated it lower.

Positive outcomes for Jane (not her real name):

By attending the last two Dementia Network events, Jane has heard about the many services available to support older people, including those with dementia. She has become more able to discuss the possibility of dementia in herself and has expressed more contentment as a result of this.

Jane had displayed growing levels of frustration with lapses of memory, and was prone to talking negatively to herself about being “a silly old woman” and telling herself off for lack of concentration. By hearing from others living with dementia, and getting used to the term dementia in her own life, she is more positive about herself, realising that she can’t simply “pull her socks up” and perform better. She is more at peace with herself.

As a result of hearing about the “My life, my wishes” booklet at the Dementia Network, Jane has started completing this with her family. She has also made provision for powers of attorney covering finances and health and wellbeing.

After attending the Dementia Network in Newtown in July 2019, Jane felt able to speak at the January 2020 network event, which is something she has not been used to doing before. Participants were impressed by her desire to carry on with her life and to live as independently as she could for as long as she could.

Lucy Taylor, PAVO Community Connector

Positive outcomes for Lucy:

Lucy Taylor is the Community Connector for Llandrindod and Rhayader and also attended the day. The network is invaluable for her – “I’m able to catch up with people I’ve not seen for a while due to everyone being so busy! The mix of people attending, from those living with dementia to practitioners, and others on the side, is really very good. I also picked up two referrals on the day and am providing ongoing support to these new clients.

I thought it was particularly powerful to hear two people speak about living with dementia, and others have said how brilliant that was. People hear the word ‘dementia’ and start thinking – that’s the end of everything and I’ll just forget things now. But for most people it is a much longer journey and they live with dementia for a good period of time. So this was a really positive message to come out of the day. By speaking they also raised awareness of how they first became aware of small signs of dementia which occurred in their daily lives.

There were some fantastic activities on the day, such as the drumming and the water bar. And they all had a purpose, they weren’t just random activities. So, for example, the drumming was obviously social but also that kind of rhythmic tapping is very calming, whilst the water bar brought home the message that you need to stay hydrated to keep in good health!

It would be really great to try and bring in people from the smaller communities in the county at future events too if at all possible”.

The next Powys Dementia Network event will take place in Brecon on 15 July 2020. If you are interested in finding out more then please contact Sue Newham by emailing sue.newham@pavo.org.uk or ringing 01597 822191.