AN action board tasked with raising awareness of dementia in Carmarthenshire has enlisted the support of international caricaturist and cartoonist Roger Bowles from Llanelli.
The Carmarthenshire Dementia Action Board is made up of professionals, carers and those living with dementia.
They are launching a campaign with a colourful and thought provoking series of cartoon strips called ‘Gone with the Wynd’ with accompanying story boards that it is hoped will advise those who might be anxious about any family members or friend’s forgetfulness or changing behaviour; what it means, and where they can go for help.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society there are already more than 800,000 people with dementia in the UK and the number is set to double in the next 35 years.
Within Carmarthenshire statistics show from 2012 there were 7,900 aged over the age of 65 and the number of people with dementia will continue to grow- especially in the older age group, 85 and older. But dementia can strike at any age.
And it can be an earthquake in life for families who do not know where to turn for help, support or advice.
The number of people living with dementia is projected to double from 5,712 in the Carmarthenshire to 10,161 in the next 20 years.
County executive board member for health and social care Cllr Jane Tremlett said: “Carmarthen Dementia Action Board has been raising awareness of the many forms of the condition. Signposting how to cope if it strikes has been a key element of their role.
“People want to know more about the condition, what to do and what it means for the future for all the family and the wider community.
Board member and dementia carer for more than 15-years, Jacqueline Rideout, said: “I can say, unashamedly, dementia is society’s new big ‘C’. It has had a dramatic and massive impact in my own and family’s life when my late mother was diagnosed.
“We need to be inventive, brave and inspirational to tackle the growing challenges of dementia in our communities to help all those who can be touched by this devastating condition.”
More information: www.carmarthenshire.gov.wales/dementia
www.sirgar.llyw.cymru/dementia
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