Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Sandra Duffy, is supporting Dementia Action Week (15th-21st May) by illuminating Council buildings in purple this evening.
Mayor Duffy will light up The Alley Theatre in Strabane and The Guildhall Clock, Derry, in purple tonight (16th May) to raise awareness for the campaign as well as in support of those living with Dementia across the city and district.
“Dementia week gives us a great opportunity to reflect on this deliberating condition, which can affect anyone of us in our lifetime.
“It gives us a chance to celebrate the hard work and research carried out by the Alzheimer’s Society, as well as acknowledge the incredible day-to-day work done by the families living with this illness in their household.
“It is important for me to show my support to those across Derry and Strabane living with this condition.
“If you, or a family member, are worried about memory loss, you should seek medical advice from your GP or complete the handy online Symptoms Checklist on the Alzheimer’s Society website.”
Dementia Action Week (15-21 May) is an awareness raising campaign that happens each year, facilitated by the Alzheimer’s Society.
This year’s theme is dementia diagnosis and the Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging individuals and their families to seek a timely diagnosis and avoid reaching crisis point.
Getting a diagnosis can be daunting but they believe it’s better to know, along with 91% of people living with dementia.
DEEDS, Dementia Engaged and Empowered in Derry & Strabane, hosted a conference as part of Dementia Action Week where there was a call to engage, empower and pledge for dementia to help make the city and district dementia friendly.
DEEDS Co-ordinator, Sinead Devine commented, “Today we called for people to make a pledge to support those with dementia.
“Professionals in health and within city businesses can pledge to engage in our training to help educate themselves so they can empower people with dementia to live full and active lives.”
For more information on Dementia Action Week, please visit www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week
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