HAVE you ever considered how you would feel, if you lost the ability in remembering simple things, such as your name or even where you live?

Are you Dementia Aware? Do you know somebody with Dementia? Ask yourself am I Dementia friendly?

Don't be fooled, Dementia has no respect for age or gender. It can start in early youth and then lie dormant, quite happily for many years. Even now it is possible that you could be next. Thankfully, Dementia is not hereditary or contagious. It can and will slowly unfold as it creeps undetected through the brain, without your slightest knowledge.

Because of modern medicine, better hygiene and food standards. People are now living longer, allowing Dementia to mature at its leisure, when it then strikes at our forever increasing aged population.

In Devon we have one of the highest elderly populations but the lowest reported number of patients diagnosed with Dementia. As at this moment in time there is no accurate test for this devastating condition. Yet the Government of this country acknowledge that Dementia sufferers in our county will rise by at least one third over the next few years.

It is important that we must now begin to prepare for what is about to come. Firstly by educating and encouraging people in becoming more understanding in applying compassion to the sufferers of this condition. This is why we must ensure that our citizens, manufacturers, shops and restaurants in our towns, villages and parishes become Dementia aware and friendly.

It is essential that everyone contacts their local member of Parliament, county, town and parish council offices and enquire how they are intending to deal with this condition.

A simple starting point would be the introduction of a poster displayed on the entrance door of all premises that are Dementia aware and friendly.

The Devon Senior Voice Mental Health Group will be holding a Dementia Awareness Day on November 23 for the West Devon Area, and with assistance from the Citizens of Devon we can make it a day in which as a community we embrace this condition and not hide it away in some forgotten corner.

Arthur Harman

Fernhill

Folly Gate