The Rethink Dementia campaign, by the Scottish Government in partnership with COSLA, aims to encourage people to continue doing the activities they always did with friends or relatives diagnosed with dementia.
These everyday activities are said to help those affected stay well for longer.
The campaign also highlights the importance of staying connected to communities which can play a crucial role in keeping people with dementia socially active and engaged.
Everyday activities are said to help those affected stay well for longer (Image: Stripe Communications) For those in Glasgow and the West, several opportunities and events are available.
These include the Dementia Friendly Concert in Glasgow featuring the Rachel Lightbody Trio, the Memory Spinners weekly group meeting, and various cafes in Renfrew, East Dunbartonshire, Cumbernauld and East Kilbride.
There will also be a musical titled Dementia The Musical, a new production in Paisley that is both funny and moving.
It will take place on November 9 at 7.30pm.
For more information, go to oneren.org/whats-on/events/dementia-the-musical/.
The musical is based on the work of three dedicated dementia activists James McKillop, Nancy McAdam, and Agnes Houston.
The campaign is created in collaboration with a National Dementia Lived Experience Panel.
Research has shown that making this effort to stay in contact and include people in social activities can help alleviate symptoms of depression, agitation, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and apathy often associated with dementia.
Dr Tom Russ, an NHS consultant Old Age Psychiatrist and researcher at The University of Edinburgh, said: “Over the past 20 years, I’ve engaged with hundreds of people who have been diagnosed with dementia, and it’s often the case that those individuals will withdraw from social activities, which can negatively impact their overall wellbeing.
“If you know of a friend or relative who has been diagnosed with dementia, it’s really important to stay in touch and help your loved one to maintain their usual social activities, or even try something new together.
“The Rethink Dementia campaign is sharing such a crucial message around the importance of social connection and I hope it provides positive action steps for family and friends of those living with dementia.”
