Dementia sufferers and their families and carers can now benefit from a pioneering new service launched this week by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.
The specialist Dementia Café, which opened its doors at Abercwmboi RFC clubhouse has been funded by the Council and hosted by the Alzheimer’s Society.
The purpose of the Dementia Café is to give people who have dementia, their families, friends and other carers, the opportunity to meet one another in a friendly and relaxed environment, where they can share experiences and enjoy spending time together.
A series of guest speakers attended the launch including Sue Phelps, the Director of Alzheimer’s Wales, Jan John who discussed her experience as a carer and Wendy Pearson who is a Community Psychiatric Nurse from the Cynon Valley Older Persons Mental Health Team.
The Dementia Café will now become a regular monthly event for residents in the area.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Well-Being, Cllr Mike Forey joined the Mayor of Rhondda Cynon Taf Cllr Simon Lloyd at the official launch.
Cllr Forey said: “This is a very special and important day for us in Rhondda Cynon Taf as the Dementia Café will allow people who have Alzheimers and carers the opportunity to come together to share their experiences, thereby helping to overcome many of the problems they face on a day-to-day basis because they can advise one another.
“This new facility is incredibly important for the many carers in Rhondda Cynon Taf and I’m sure it will have an enormously positive impact on the lives of very many residents.”
A second Dementia Café was also launched at Garth Olwg Lifelong Learning Centre and will also be held on a monthly basis.
For further details, please contact Trudy Rowlands or Vicky Lewis at the Alzheimer’s Society on 01685 353919 or via email at [email protected] or [email protected].
