Health care providers on standby to answer queries at memory awareness event

ONCE again, people in Sidmouth are being invited to an awareness event that will provide information on memory problems.

Run by Sidmouth locality health and care team, it will take place on Friday, March 16 from 10am to 12 noon at Sidmouth Methodist Church Hall, High Street.

Health workers from Northern Devon Healthcare Trust, which runs Sidmouth Hospital, and local support groups, will attend, providing information on how to manage memory problems.

People will have the opportunity to discover where they can get further help as appropriate.

Emma Bagwell, matron at Sidmouth Hospital, said: “I hope as many people as possible will be able to attend the event as memory loss could affect any of us at any time.

“We want to show that even if someone is experiencing memory problems, good self-management can lead to a long and independent life.”

Shiobhan Pickering, manager of Conybeare Ward, Axminster Hospital, also run by the Trust, will give a talk at 10.30am called: I really can’t remember where I put it.

Organisations expected to attend the event include the local complex care team and falls group, Age UK Devon, the Alzheimer’s Society East Devon, Devon Carers Centre, Home Safeguard, LINk Devon, Sidmouth Helplink, Sidmouth Voluntary Services, Sid Vale Carers Support Group and Sid Valley Memory Caf�.

Representatives from three of Sidmouth residential homes - Arcot House, Bindon/Elmcroft and Malden House – will also attend, along with Home Instead, which provides care in the community.

Free tea and coffee will be provided.