WaMH in PC's blog

A series of images depicting the life of a married couple affected by dementia have made it onto the shortlist for a prestigious world photography award.

It's no surprise that the subject of dementia has made it onto the awards shortlist as the most up-to-date statistics show the numbers of people with dementia are rising across the world with an estimated 35 million people with dementia worldwide.

The pictures - taken by Italian photograher Fausto Podavini - have been listed under the Lifestyle section in the Sony World Photography Awards, an annual competition hosted by the World Photography Organisation.

This year's contest attracted more than 122,000 entries from 170 countries with the entrants judged in 6 different competition categories.

The winners are scheduled to be announced in March and April and this is what nominee Podavini said about his series of images: "People affected with dementia, their families and friends are affected on personal, emotional, financial and social levels.

"Mirella is 71 years old. She spent 43 years of her life with the only person she loved, 43 years of sharing, difficulties, laughs and beautiful moments; a family, a house, values handed down.

"For the past few years her days are cyclic, monotonous, due to her husband's illness. She tries to look forward with devotion, strength and love - as long as there is life there is hope - even if memories are slowly wasted day by day."

To view the series of images which have put Padovini in the frame for an award please visit his short gallery on the World Photography Association website.

For further further information about the awards and a full list of nominees and categories please visit the Sony World Photography Awards page on the same site.

There are currently just over 42,700 people living with dementia in Wales and much work has been carried out to identify the areas which need to be addressed to improve the lives of those with and affected by dementia leading to the creation of the National Dementia Vision for Wales.

To find out more about dementia and hw you can find help and other support services across Wales please visit the Dementia section on our website.

A free bilingual pack providing information for people in Wales that have been newly diagnosed with dementia is now available online.

The pack, entitled "Byw yn dda gyda dementia ar ôl diagnosis" / "Living well with dementia after diagnosis", is easy to use and is broken down into sections that signpost people towards health and social care services, local services and other third sector agencies that offer support.

Individual information sheets from the pack can be downloaded for free from the Living well with dementia after diagnosis page on the Alzheimer’s Society website.

The pack has been developed by Alzheimer's Society following the receipt of a grant from the Welsh Government.

As part of the National Dementia Vision for Wales, the Welsh Government has committed to improving information on dementia by:

• Developing bilingual information packs for people diagnosed with dementia, their families, friends and carers
• Creating a dedicated dementia information helpline for Wales 
• Extending the Welsh Government's Book Prescription Scheme to include dementia care

Dementia Information Liaison Officer for Alzheimer's Society Cheryl Williams said: "A diagnosis of dementia may come as a shock and you may need some reassurance and support as there is much that can be done in the early stages that can help make life easier and more enjoyable.

"The pack is easy to use and is broken down into sections that signpost you towards health and social care services, local services and other third sector agencies that can support you.’"

If you have concerns about Alzheimer's disease or about any other form of dementia, Alzheimer's Society National Dementia Helpline 0300 222 1122 can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other appropriate organisations.

The Helpline is usually open from 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday and Saturday and Sunday 10am - 4pm.

We're offering two half-day Practical Dementia training days aimed at helping medical professionals and carers improve the lives of those with and affected by dementia across Wales.

The events will follow the similar successful events on the same subject which we delivered earlier in 2012 and each 3-hour course costs £30 per delegate which includes free on-site parking.

Both these practical courses are CPD events aimed at the following mental health roles with attendees provided with an Attendance Certificate and will take place in Cardiff and Wrexham this Spring:

• GPs
• CPNs (Community Psychiatric Nurses)
• Practice Nurses
• Consultant Psychiatrists
• Health Board Officials
• The Care Home Sector
• The Alzheimer’s Society

Both events begin at 1pm for lunch and registration with South Wales training taking place at the Novotel Hotel in Cardiff on 7th March 2013 from 2pm until 5pm with the second North Wales training day being held at the Ramada Plaza in Wrexham on 18th April 2013 from 2pm until 5pm.

Please note that each course concentrates on practice and not theory in relation to dementia and the proposed agenda for each event will cover the following issues:     

• Memory clinics and the interface with Primary Care
• Social Care – Interface Issues
• Vascular Dementia
• Dementia from a Carers Perspective – Interaction with Primary Care

To register for either event please fill in our Practical Dementia Training Application Form and return it to our Project Manager Lesley Hills at the following address along with your a cheque for £30 made payable to RCGP Wales:

Royal College of General Practitioners Wales,
Regus House,
Falcon Drive,
Cardiff Bay,
Cardiff CF10 4RU.

Alternatively, for further details or if you have any questions please contact Lesley on 029 2050 4516 or email at lhills@rcgp.org.uk.