A BARNARD Castle charity has launched a support programme so people with dementia do not suffer in silence.
Teesdale Disability Access Forum has unveiled its Keep Active, Keep Communicating project – the only one of its kind in the country.
As well as providing advice, the forum is giving practical help though dementia kits. These include signs to help sufferers find their way around their homes, memory games and communication aids.

Help is also offered with incontinence, eating, washing and dressing.
An estimated 250 people will be supported by the dementia scheme in the first year, Teesdale Disability Access Forum has estimated.
Anne Henderson, chief officer, said one in three people will suffer from dementia.
She said: “Twenty-nine per cent of the population here are elderly and we had an idea of just doing something for the community.
“Dementia is one of the great scourges of old age in the 21st century. It is devastating, irreversible and progressive. It robs millions of older people of the use of language, reasoning, memory and judgment.
“Dementia destroys a lifetime of memories and takes away a person’s identity. It robs families of their loved ones.
“Our project aims to help keep the channels of communication open for a dementia sufferer for as long as possible which in turn will help families and carers.”
The Keep Active, Keep Communicating programme will also provide:
l Information, advice and support – the forum will be able to refer people to expert help and provide a “listening ear”.
l Activities – the charity has a library of items to borrow. They will be designed to give mental stimulation, help sufferers to communicate in their own homes, and get families to enjoy spending time with their loved ones. They include art activities, books designed for dementia suffers, jigsaw puzzles, 1940s and 1950s cards to trigger people’s memories.
l Communication aids – family members will be able to borrow books with colourful images of food so sufferers can pick what they want to eat when communication is difficult. Books of day-to-day activities will be used in a similar way.
l Help with eating, dressing and washing by offering disposable bibs, washable bibs, special plates and utensils.
Ms Henderson said the activities would improve people’s quality of life.
“Because the activities are specially designed to relieve boredom and keep the mind and body active, individuals may feel more calm and peaceful which will improve both their physical and mental health. This will benefit those who care for them and hopefully improve their mental health too,” she said.
It will also have a knock on effect by taking the strain off GPs, dementia support workers and social services.
Support will also be given to people with incontinence by providing the right pads and pants, waterproof bed covers and chair pads.
Ms Henderson said the problem was a “hidden truth” because people were embarrassed to talk about it. But dealing with the problem can change people’s lives, she said.
“We have had people who haven’t left their homes for months because of being worried about wet patches on their trousers. They feel ashamed but they shouldn’t – it can be pretty normal,” Ms Henderson said.
She said 64 per cent of older people in care homes are there because they are incontinent and cannot be managed by family and carers at home.
“Looking after someone with incontinence is hard work as there is always mess to clean, washing to do and the isolation it causes for both the carer and the person who is incontinent can have an adverse reaction to their mental health,” said Ms Henderson.
Last year 6,291 people were given advice on things like wheelchairs, walkers and home alterations by the charity, which is funded by Big Lottery and also offers hearing and sight support, as well as cancer caring kits.
For details, pop into the shop in Market Place or call 01833 631000. – See more at:

http://www.teesdalemercury.co.uk/Articles/2014/