EVENTS are being held in Yate and around South Gloucestershire this week to promote the range of support available locally for people living with dementia.

To mark national Dementia Awareness Week, which started yesterday, NHS South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and South Gloucestershire Council are promoting the range of support available locally, including assessment and treatment in GP surgeries, post diagnosis support for patients and their families, memory cafés, a patient information and support leaflet detailing key services and organisations, a South Gloucestershire Dementia Action Alliance and awareness roadshows.

Cambrian Green Day Services, a Dementia Day Centre in Yate, is opening its doors to the public and inviting families, social workers and practitioners along to have a look around as part of the week.

People can visit the award-winning day centre anytime between 11am and 12.30pm and 1.30pm and 3.30pm from today until Friday.

On Thursday, May 21, people experiencing dementia can take part in a creative project at Yate Library where they will work with artists to make films, books, performance and lots more.

Dr Peter Bagshaw, clinical lead for Dementia at South Gloucestershire CCG, the GP-led body responsible for planning and buying healthcare for the local population, said: “It is estimated there are more than 3,000 people living with dementia in South Gloucestershire and this number is expected to grow by 30 per cent by 2020 and nearly double by 2030.

“The number of patients being diagnosed with dementia and receiving rapid access to medication and support has improved dramatically over the past two years due to new ways of working we have put in place. There has been a huge energy and commitment around transforming care for those with memory problems in South Gloucestershire.

“There is also now wider information and advice available for both patients and their carers, care homes are better equipped to care for residents with dementia and there is a greater awareness of dementia throughout the South Gloucestershire community and more support to help people with the condition live well.”

For further details about South Gloucestershire CCG and support for people with dementia visit www.southgloucestershireccg.nhs.uk or follow the CCG on Twitter at www.twitter.com/SGlosCCG.