A CHESTER carer has welcomed the launch of a new government awareness campaign to challenge stigma surrounding dementia.
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is supporting this week’s launch of Living Well.
At the national launch, Care Services Minister Phil Hope said one in three are uncomfortable around people with dementia and that more needs to be done to educate the public and break down the stigma.
Chester’s Anna Usherwood, CWP service user and carer governor, said: “I care for my husband who has Alzheimer’s disease and it is sometimes quite difficult to cope with.
“The worst thing is when friends cease to visit or ask you to visit them, because they feel unable to communicate with him. It becomes very lonely for us both.
“I am very pleased to support the Living Well campaign and hope that it enables the general public to realise that people with dementia are still able to have a good quality of life and that they can still be useful members of their community.
“With the right support people can live well with the condition and continue to do the things they enjoy for a number of years following diagnosis.”
Dr Anushta Sivananthan, CWP clinical director of adult mental health services, said: “At CWP we aim to challenge perceptions around mental health issues via our challenging stigma campaign and provide high quality care to manage people in the least restrictive environment.”
If you would like to show your support for local mental health services, you can become a Trust member. Contact 01244 364404, e-mail membership@cwp.nhs.uk or visit the website at www.cwp.nhs.uk – where a simple application form can be completed online.
