Nearly one in three young people know someone living with dementia. Often, this person is a grandparent, but increasingly it could be a parent. This is why it’s important that every young person feels prepared and understands what it’s like to live with and be affected by dementia.
Right at Home regularly holds Dementia Friends information sessions and were excited to hold the assembly with the children at St Monica’s Primary school in Cardiff for years 4, 5 & 6.
Our Dementia Friends Champions, Abbeygail & Dominique hosted the lesson at the school. A Dementia Friends Champion encourages others to make a positive difference to people living with dementia in their community. They do this by giving them information about the personal impact of dementia, and what they can do to help.
Abbeygail Folland is our training Manager and Dominique Guishard our Business Development Manager. Both have worked in the care industry for the last seven years; having originally started as caregivers Abbey and Dominique have lots of first-hand experience to share and for others to learn from.
Prior to working for Right at Home Dominique was a practising Complementary Therapist and provided a range of holistic treatments in a variety of different settings, including Velindre Cancer Centre.
The Dementia Friends assembly took place in the school and covered:
- Understand how the brain works
- Learn more about dementia in the family
- Learn more about dementia in the community
- Learn, plan and take action to support people living with or affected by the condition
The children interacted in a variety of games and enjoyed the session.
Here are few of the comments from the children:
Ruby, 11yrs: “Try to make the people happy and remind them of happy family moments.”
Ayesha, 9yrs: “Be kind and patient.”
Jennifer, 9yrs: “Be kind to everyone.”
Rihanna, 11yrs: “Be patient don’t rush.”
Seren 10yrs: “Show them happy pictures.”
Daniella, 11yrs: “Be calm with them, listen to their thoughts.”
Kevin, 9yrs: “Be kind.”
Owen, 8yrs: “Respect them.”
This is just some of the wonderful feedback the children gave, all acknowledge that they can help with just being kind; a lesson we can all learn no matter what age.
Thank you to the school for letting us hold the assembly and receive this wonderful feedback.
Both Abbeygail & Dominique agreed the session had a wonderful response from the pupils and they hope to hold more sessions in future.
What is a Dementia Friend?
Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer’s Society initiative to change the way people think, act and talk about dementia. A Dementia Friend is somebody that learns more about dementia and takes action to support people affected by the condition in their community.
About Right at Home Cardiff & Newport
“We are proud to provide high-quality home and community care for over 100 Clients. As a company we believe that home is the best place for people as they get older and health deteriorates. We also provide care for vulnerable adults with very different levels of care needs.
Our main aims are to give continuity of care, promote independence and respect our Clients’ values and beliefs. Our quality care enables people to live life the way they want to, and to follow their own routines in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.” Joe Guishard, Managing Director of Right at Home Cardiff and Newport
