Dementia Action Week | News

Sussex Housing & Care is joining the Alzheimer’s Society to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia.

This year, during Dementia Action Week (Monday 17 – Sunday 23 May), the Alzheimer’s Society is calling on the government to cure the care system now.

Right now, the broken social care system means that nearly 1 million people in with dementia in the UK, by far the majority of social care users, and their families are struggling to get the support and dignity of care that they deserve.

Decades of underfunding and neglect have led to a care system that’s difficult to access, costly, inadequate and deeply unfair. As a cause close to Sussex Housing & Care’s heart, we know only too well that the coronavirus pandemic has exposed these failings like never before.

Until things change, a dementia diagnosis will continue to claim lives, as the families facing dementia feels it destructive effects.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

How you can get involved and take action this Dementia Week

Sign the petition to Cure the Care System
Help the Alzheimer’s Society call on the government to provide quality social care, that is free to access, no matter where you live. Sign the petition here

Donate to Alzheimer’s Society
Donations can be made to our Sussex Housing & Care GoFundMe fundraising page at https://www.gofundme.com/f/dementia-action-week-2021

Share our carer, resident, family and personal stories
Many of us at Sussex Housing & Care have first-hand experience of dementia and how it affects the residents and families we work with on a day-to-day basis. Sadly some of us are also affected personally, with our own relatives at home. The Alzheimer’s Society would like us to share stories, and show the impact of the broken care system on everyday lives, as well as what we would like to see changed. If you’re happy to share your story (from a carer, resident, family or personal perspective), please let our communications team know, so we can collate stories. Email: sue.penfold@sussexhousing.org.uk or call 01323 875254.

Denim for Dementia, Wednesday 19 May

Swap those joggers for jeans! Dig out those dungarees because it’s time for Denim for Dementia. Wear your finest denim and make a small donation.

Watch volunteer fundraiser’s Faye Mitchell’s Denim for Dementia video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmj_UoT82V4

You could repurpose denim, such as recycle some denim jeans and create some artwork? Or maybe the sewing bees out there would like to rustle up a new garment or item? Here’s some ideas to get you started including a denim board, coaster, embroidery patch, denim pencil case, or pouch for other uses: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeLKKqoAb9Y