Local authorities which support people affected by dementia will descend on Elgin next week to discuss how they can make life easier for suffers.
The annual information fair – organised by the Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership and the Moray Older People’s Reference Group – will take place next Thursday at Elgin Town Hall from 10am-4pm.
And with the onset of winter, it will also offer information on how older people can prepare for the colder months that lie ahead.
It brings together NHS Grampian and Moray Council along with other housing, voluntary and partner organisations that support people living with dementia, as well as their families and carers.
Elgin councillor Patsy Gowans said: “Because people are living longer, they are actually getting dementia just because of their years.
“It’s an increasing condition and it is just something that happens because of age.
“As you age things start to decline, so it is about making people aware of conditions like dementia so they can identify dangers early on.
“Then it’s about how to manage it. We can sustain it and our frontline services like the access point have to be aware of how to deal with people who have autism, dementia as just another dimension.
“Even in shops, we all have a duty to know who to work with dementia sufferers the same way we have to know how to work with people with learning disabilities.”
The free event will feature more than 30 information stands and visitors will be able to get advice from the Warmer Moray Group agencies on household energy issues.
There will also be the opportunity to have a 30-minute health check.
Mrs Gowans added: “The fair provides information for how to help others in the family cope or a wife or husband of someone who has dementia as well, but it also affects the wider community, so we all have a responsibility to be informed.”
Appointments can be booked in advance by calling the NHS Grampian Healthpoint on 01343 567842. For more information about the event, call 01343 567142.