Who are the sessions for?
Dementia is life changing, but the way we support people has a huge impact on the wellbeing and the behaviours associated with dementia. We know that with the right information and support, both you and the person you care for can live positive and fulfilling lives. Our education sessions are designed to show you how.
What do the sessions include?
The sessions will help you to:
- Understand what dementia is and how it progresses
- Gain an insight into how it feels to live with dementia
- Discuss behaviours and share tips and advice
- Find tools and strategies to care well
- Care for yourself and look after your own wellbeing
The sessions are small, interactive and supportive so you can learn from others and share your experience with people who understand how you’re feeling. Sessions are a safe space for you to be honest as you grapple with what your role means.
“By understanding more about dementia you’ll be armed with information and strategies that will help you move positively along the journey,” says Melissa Spearman, Education and Awareness Lead.
“I believe that equipping people with knowledge helps them to see that the reality of dementia isn’t as bleak as their fears. My goal in providing these education sessions is to show you that it is possible to live really well with dementia and to give you strength and hope for your future, knowing you can still have a fulfilling life.”
The purpose of the sessions is not just to teach you about dementia, but to make a direct and positive impact on daily life. We travel around the county, delivering our ‘Understanding dementia for informal carers’ sessions, covering as many communities as possible. But we understand that it’s not always easy getting out of the house with the person you care for, so we also host online sessions for those who can’t easily travel. Our in-person sessions have a separate space, with activities, for people living with dementia.
Bitesize education sessions
We also offer bitesize education sessions. These sessions are a shorter version of our carer education sessions and sometimes run alongside a memory café or social group for people living with dementia. This gives carers the opportunity to learn more about dementia, whilst the person they care for is in a safe, welcoming space. The session is led by one of our Dementia Advisers and you will learn:
- That there is tailored support available for family carers
- More about dementia, including helping you to understand how it might feel to live with it
- Common symptoms and strategies to support positively
All of our education sessions are free to anyone with a dementia diagnosis and their loved ones living in Oxfordshire. Any upcoming sessions, along with information on their location and timings will be posted on our events page. Click the button below to see our upcoming carer education sessions.
For more information, please contact education@dementiaoxfordshire.org.uk.
