Dementia Bus to visit Doncaster and spread awareness about early signs of the condition
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The Dementia Bus will visit five different locations across the borough, with experts on hand from local and national organisations to offer free advice with no booking necessary.The use of the Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust health bus for this purpose is being organised by Home Instead Doncaster to mark Dementia Awareness Week, which runs from May 17-21.Rob Moore, director at in-home care provider Home Instead Doncaster who have organised the drop-in centres, said: “We know it can be worrying if your loved one is showing some of the common early symptoms such as memory loss or difficulty concentrating, and people can be reluctant to ask for help for someone they care about."We want to make it as easy as possible to get information, whether you think your loved one is beginning to display the symptoms or you just want to be aware of what to look out for."Rob says the lockdown restrictions seen throughout the past year have seen some people reluctant to reach out for help, but thinks the opening up of society again provides an opportunity to check on loved ones.
He added: "We know that people had to keep away from their loved ones more than usual due to the lockdowns and I'd encourage anyone who is now able to reconnect with family members and friends keep an eye out for some of the common early symptoms."As well as memory loss and difficulty concentrating, they may find it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks or follow conversations."These symptoms can go unnoticed for some time, so if you are seeing someone who you've not been able to spend time with for several months just ask yourself if they're struggling in any of these areas. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing and there is plenty of help out there - popping down to our bus is a straightforward first step."