There are an estimated 5,000 people living with dementia across the county, with many more family members and friends providing support. Alzheimer’s Society is working with Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust to encourage people affected by the condition to complete a This Is Me ‘passport’, which provides an easy and practical way of recording who the person is.
The booklet includes space for details on the person’s cultural and family background; events, people and places from their lives; preferences, routines and their personality.
Alzheimer’s Society Shropshire’s Dianne Beaumont explains, “This Is Me is suitable for use in any setting – at home, in hospital, in respite care or a care home – and provides a valuable way of letting medical and social care staff know more about the person who has dementia. It can be a really useful tool in reducing distress for the person with dementia and their carer.”
Another initiative by Alzheimer’s Society is the Dementia Friends campaign, with 37,446 Friends now signed up in Staffordshire and Shropshire. For more information call 01952 250392 or email shropshire@alzheimers.org.uk.
