Helping to cope with dementia

The Soundwaves choir in Blackpool during their dementia singing sessions

Charity staff and volunteers will be providing information about dementia and how to live well with the condition at sing-a-long and information events at Wellington Arcade, Brighouse on May 17 from 12pm to 1pm, Halifax Woolshops on May 18 from 11am to 1pm, Todmorden Flea Market on May 19 from 10am to 12pm and Hebden Bridge Town Hall on May 20 from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

People will be encouraged to sing along with Singing for the Brain groups.

Joining in group singing is an excellent way for people living with dementia to stay engaged in their community, keep active and enjoy meeting other people.

There will also be a memory tree at each event where people can share favourite memories and how they personally want to confront dementia.

At the end of May the completed memory tree will be on display near Alzheimer’s Society office on Commercial Street in Halifax on May 31.

A local poet will draft some verse on the key ideas and comments that have been posted on the trees during Dementia Awareness Week.

Michael White, operations manager for Alzheimer’s Society in West Yorkshire, said: “We’d love to see as many people as possible join us. By talking about dementia we hope to tackle the misunderstandings about the condition and get across that life doesn’t end when dementia begins.”