Mayor joins students & local family at a Time for Dementia session

The Mayor had the privilege of joining one of the local ‘Time for Dementia’ programme visits, to learn more about the initiative run by the Alzheimer’s Society, as her chosen charity for the year.

The Mayor with Tony, Caroline and students on the Time for Dementia visit

Town Mayor, Cllr Stephanie Inglesfield, said:

“This was a special visit that I will for ever remember.  Thanks to my involvement with the Alzheimer’s Society, I have discovered the Time for Dementia programme.  For the last ten years, this initiative has brought together medical students and families who live with dementia.  This enables the students to gain insights into what life with dementia is like as they visit the families in their homes.

Importantly, this will eventually help them become well rounded doctors who go further than treating patients, doctors who help people with families, professions, friends, aspirations, plans and responsibilities, all of which are involved and affected by their diagnosis.  It is a great learning opportunity for the students and a precious opportunity for the families, as many want their experience to be put to good use by the medical profession.  They want the human side of the condition to be better understood and for future patients to feel affirmed and be well supported.

Around a cup of tea and biscuits, we spent two hours catching up like old friends with Tony and Caroline and the students.  Tony and Caroline were happy to explain how they adapt to the changes in their lives and how they do it in a way which is practical, pragmatic, positive and joyful.  They have a life filled with family and friends, love and banter, walking their dog and now getting ready for Christmas.  Tony and Caroline are a wholesome couple, who manage their situation self-confidently and despite the challenges, they role model common sense and hope for us all. 

Thank you to this very special and lovely couple, Tony and Caroline, for inviting me to share their programme visit, to the wonderful students who take part in the programme and to the brilliant Sam Swanson, our Time for Dementia Officer for Sussex, for organising this informative and insightful visit for me.”