Shiobhan Pickering [Sidmouth Community Matron for dementia] echoed concerns that, whilst there is no care home catering specifically for dementia sufferers in Sidmouth, provision should also be made to ensure there is a future for younger people – who will be the carers of the future.
Futures Forum: The Future for Health in Sidmouth: report
A Sidmouth community nurse was the star of the show last week, when she appeared on a special ITV documentary.
The town’s NHS dementia matron, Shiobhan Pickering featured on ‘Nursing the Nation’..., celebrating the unsung work of nurses and carers who look after patients in their own homes.
Shiobhan’s main aim is to help patients live well with dementia – allowing them to remain independent in their own home where possible.
View From Online - News from West Dorset, East Devon & South Somerset
Featured nurse – Shiobhan Pickering « Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust NDHT
Shiobhan Pickering's colleague, Andrew Stevens, Chair of the Older People's Subgroup, has written to the Herald on the subject of dementia:
‘Dementia aware’ is not damaging
Saturday, November 23, 2013As chair of the older people’s sub group, health and social care team for Seaton, Axminster and Sidmouth, I would like to make reference to your front page story “Let’s lose our God’s waiting room tag” (Herald, November 8).
It is admirable to encourage broader awareness training for all disabilities but I would like to respond to the comment of the council chairman suggesting that Sidmouth’s tourism may be damaged due to the town being ‘dementia friendly’.
Dementia-aware communities is an initiative that should be welcomed by all towns and cities with an increasing number of people and families being affected by the disability, which is more common in older age groups.
Sidmouth is a beautiful and vibrant town and one which attracts tourism and younger families, but I do not believe that being ‘dementia-friendly’ would lead to a negative impact on visitor numbers.
Moreover, 45 per cent of Sidmouth residents are over 65 years old* and, although mostly fit and active, dementia awareness could have a positive impact on the independence of those Sidmouth residents affected. (*Source: Knowing East Devon 2013, A Place and People Profile – East Devon District Council).
The health and social care team meets to promote initiatives that can benefit local communities and these are often ‘cross-generational’, engaging younger people and thereby increasing everyone’s awareness and understanding of each other’s needs.
The group believes this is important for the future and Sidmouth, with its wide range of age groups, is a great place to develop these.
Taking the opportunity to promote specific dementia-friendly initiatives would not have, in my opinion, a detrimental effect on tourism but could be very beneficial to the community of Sidmouth.
Andrew Stevens
Chair, Older People’s Sub Group
Health & Social Care Team for Seaton,
Axminster and Sidmouth
‘Dementia aware’ is not damaging - Letters - Sidmouth Herald.
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