Nationwide is set to host free clinics for dementia support in Yeovil.
The clinics, run in partnership with Dementia UK, aim to provide a safe, private space for people to discuss all aspects of dementia.
They are open to anyone affected by dementia, offering much-needed support to individuals and families.
The clinics will be held from Tuesday, April 22 to Thursday, April 24, and appointments can be booked via dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/admiral-nurse-clinics/nationwide/?misc=media.
They will offer practical and emotional advice on various aspects of dementia, from concerns about memory problems and understanding a diagnosis to dealing with financial and legal issues.
The clinics will be held at 36 Middle Street, BA20 1LA.
Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity, has provided tips on discussing dementia with a loved one and encouraging them to visit their GP if they are showing signs of the condition.
According to the charity, someone in the UK develops dementia every three minutes, and obtaining an accurate diagnosis can often be a challenge.
Admiral Nurses from Dementia UK have offered advice on approaching conversations with those who may be showing signs of dementia.
They suggest acting when the individual becomes upset or frustrated, as this may be an opportunity to discuss their symptoms and whether they would like help in seeking support.
They also advise explaining that the symptoms of dementia are often shared with other conditions, and encouraging the person to seek advice from their GP can be less daunting than suggesting a diagnosis of dementia.
Admiral Nurses also highlighted the importance of support, acknowledging that seeking it can be tough.
They recommend helping in arranging and attending appointments, as well as assisting in maintaining a symptom diary to aid healthcare professionals in making an accurate and timely diagnosis.
The Yeovil clinics form part of Nationwide's social impact programme, Fairer Futures, which seeks to address three of the UK's major social issues through charity partnerships: dementia (Dementia UK), youth homelessness (Centrepoint), and family poverty (Action for Children).
Nationwide is funding 30 dementia specialist Admiral Nurse posts through Dementia UK and will be hosting 200 pop-up clinics across the country.
Ruby Guild, an Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK, said: "We’re looking forward to returning to Yeovil.
"Nationwide branches offer a safe and private space for people to access specialist support for dementia, and the Fairer Futures partnership is helping us bring face-to-face support to people in a familiar location."
Debbie Crosbie, CEO of Nationwide, said: "Nationwide wants to help people live their best life possible, for as long as possible.
"By working with Dementia UK to fund more Admiral Nurses and turning our branches into dementia clinics, we’re helping to tackle the country’s leading cause of death.
"As a mutual, we work for the good of society as well as our members.
"We believe this and Nationwide Fairer Futures will change hundreds of thousands of lives for the better."
Share