Date: 21/05/2018
Time: 14:13:47
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) are supporting Dementia Awareness Week with a host of events taking place between 21 and 27 May 2018 to raise awareness and learning.
LFRS partner with Dementia Action Alliance and have had many staff members who have undertaken training to become a Dementia Friend, an Alzheimer’s society initiative. Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service are heavily involved in Dementia Action Alliance due to the risks in the home associated with the decline in a person’s mental ability. Whilst many people with dementia can live independently there are certain steps that are advisable to put into practice in their homes as they are potentially more vulnerable than others.
Some actions to implement could include checking smoke alarms are in working order, write check lists to be left in a prominent place, plan an escape route in case of a fire, inform a friend or a neighbour and display messages in key locations for example a reminder to turn off cookers and heaters.
A list of all events that LFRS will be involved in this week can be found here:
22 May – Longridge Library will be hosting a series of drop-in sessions for Dementia Action Week, in conjunction with the Longridge Dementia Friendly Community group. Sessions will include a Lancashire Care Falls Prevention Walking Stick MOT, as well as Information from Age UK Lancashire, Alzheimer’s Society, the British Red Cross, Lancashire Fire and Rescue, and Longridge Community Gym. Drop in anytime between 11:00-13:00
22 May – a full day event for people to drop-in to the Dementia Action Day at Clifton Hospital in St Annes
22 May – Dementia Information Event at Health and Wellbeing Centre Fleetwood 13:30 to 15:30 with Alzheimers Society
23 May – Blackburn Community Fire Station will be hosting a dementia coffee morning. The event will be a focus for LFRS and our partners to share information on living with dementia safely and be aimed at those both suffering with dementia or family and friends of those living with it. The event will be running throughout the morning from 10am until 12 noon and refreshments will be available. All are welcome to attend.
23 May – A Dementia ½ day (13:00-15:00) event taking place at Shorelands Mental Health Unit, Central Drive, Blackpool
24 May – Longridge Library will be hosting a series of drop-in sessions for Dementia Action Week, in conjunction with the Longridge Dementia Friendly Community group. Sessions will include a Lancashire Care Falls Prevention Walking Stick MOT, as well as Information from Age UK Lancashire, Alzheimer’s Society, the British Red Cross, Lancashire Fire and Rescue, and Longridge Community Gym. Drop in anytime between 12:00-14:00
24 May – Theatre production of ‘Over the Garden Fence’ the personal story of Annabelle and her Gran Dolly. It is a fast paced, uplifting and comical exploration into family, life and relationships that promotes an awareness of dementia that is accessible to all. The performance is free and takes place at Blackburn Library at 14:00. LFRS will be available to talk to after the performance. More information can be found here.
24 May – Chorley Library are holding a course that has been specifically designed to give people a better awareness and understanding of Dementia and Alzheimer’s, and an insight into this often progressive disease. It will cover what Dementia actually is and the needs of people who have the disease. This event is free to all adults over 19, but booking is required. The events if from 09:15-12:15
24 May – Fire safety and Dementia talk at Larkholme Community Centre Fleetwood 10:30 to 12:00
24 May – LFRS staff will be at Ormskirk Market providing information and advice. The market is open between 08:00-16:30.
25 May – From 11:00-15:00 there is an event being hosted by Peter Lyttle for young people living with dementia. Peter was diagnosed with dementia at 58 and now shares his experiences at events. The event will take place at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Blackpool.