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Issue 05 | 2024The quarterly magazine fromSupport & AdviceAdvice and details about our support groupsActivitiesFull lisngs of all our dementia friendly activitiesEducationFind out more about dementiaDementia Awareness WeekFind out what we have planned for this year’s event in MayBoost your BrainDemena Jersey’s brain health campaignFundraising NewsEvent and fundraising newsDementia FriendsFind out how you can become a Demena Friend

ContentsPage 6Boost your BrainPage 8DIP - Free training for family carersPage 10The Dementia Jersey Carers PackPage 12Dementia Awareness Week 2024Page 14Fundraiser Shout OutsPage 16Dementia Friendly ActivitiesPage 23Carer Support MeetingsPage 24 - 27Dementia EducationPage 28LEAPPage 34Volunteer SpotlightPage 36Meet our CEOPage 38Book Club and Consumer CornerPage 32Geng to Know...Welcome to the fifth issue of3We’ve been busy in the last quarter launching our new free training course for family carers, which was fully booked remarkably quickly and has so far received great feedback. Read more about the programme on pages 8 and 9. We’re also introducing our new carer’s pack which features lots of useful resources and items of interest. We’re also looking forward to launching our new brain health campaign called Boost Your Brain which is all about helping people reduce their risk of developing demena. It’ll be launched during Demena Awareness Week with an acvity for families called The Big Brain Challenge. Parcipants are encouraged to follow a trail of brain sckers on venues around Jersey to collect brain facts and be in with a chance of winning an iPad. The trial starts in Broad Street where we’ve arranged for the campaign to feature on a 30 metre long strip of hoarding making it one of the most eye catching things we’ve planned. Read about the rest of our activities for Demena Awareness Week which is 13th - 19th May and I hope you enjoy the rest of the issue too. Claudine SnapeCEO – Demena Jersey Dementia Jersey, Osprey House, Old Street, St Helier, JE2 3RG Telephone: 01534 723519Email: info@dementia.jeHours: 10.00 - 14.00 Monday to Fridaywww.dementia.jePublished byDid you Did you know?know?It costs over £600,000 each year to fund the services of Demena Jersey, almost all of which is supported by fundraising.

4Hunt the hidden brain teasers with QR codes scaered across the island. Are you up for the ulmate brain adventure?In partnership withFamily friendly Family friendly half term activity!half term activity!Take part inBIG BRAINCHALLENGE!THE202424th May- 23rd June25 BRAINCHALLENGESScan the QR to find out moreScan the QR to find out more#boostyourbrain

Boost your Brain Free Training for Family Carers Activities Volunteer SpotlightGetting to knowDementia Awareness WeekThe Meeting Place ProjectWe now know that up to 40% of cases of demena could potenally be avoided if we reduced the risk from some known factors.Find out more on Page 6.We are very pleased to announce that we have developed free training called the Demena Informaon Programme (DIP).Find out more on Page 8.Demena Jersey oers a range of regular acvies for people living with demena and their carers. Find out more on Page 16.Meet Alison Le Feuvre, who volunteers at our Art Exploraon groups on a Wednesday.Find out more on Page 34.This issue we’re geng to know Mike Fearnley who aends Demena Jersey acvies.Find out more on Page 32.We’ll be celebrang Demena Awareness Week from 13th - 19th May. Find out all about the events and acvies planned to help raise awareness of demena.Find out more on Page 10.We are delighted to share that our programme of community-based support groups for those with mild symptoms of demena is growing.Find out more on Page 24.In this issue5

6BoostBoostYour BrainYour BrainDementia Jersey’s brain health campaignWe can reduce our risk of developing demena and one of the best ways of doing this is to maintain good brain health. The human brain is responsible for our thoughts, emoons and acons and therefore it is essenal to take care of our brain health to maintain cognive funcon and prevent cognive decline. For these reasons, in May 2024, we are launching our Boost Your Brain campaign which aims to promote ways of maintaining brain health and to raise awareness about the importance of taking care of our brains. The campaign is focused on the link between brain health and demena prevenon. Demena is caused by various diseases and condions that damage the brain, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Vascular demena, Lewy body demena and Frontotemporal demena. We know we can reduce our risk of developing these types of demena through lifestyle changes. There is no denive way to prevent demena, but research has suggested some possible strategies that may help delay or reduce the risk of cognive decline and demena. The Boost Your Brain campaign focuses on three key areas that are linked to brain health: loving your heart, staying sharp and keeping connected. Love your heart. Physical acvity has many health benets for the body and the brain, such as improving blood ow, reducing inammaon and smulang the growth of new brain cells. Some studies have shown that people who exercise regularly have a lower risk of cognive decline than those who don’t. Also controlling blood pressure is important. This is because hypertension can damage the blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the brain, leading to strokes and Vascular demena. Keeping blood pressure under control may help prevent or delay these complicaons. In addion to exercise a healthy diet may support brain health by providing essenal nutrients, anoxidants and an-inammatory compounds. A dietary paern that has been associated with cognive

Think Brain Health7benets is the Mediterranean diet. This diet emphasises fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, sh, nuts, olive oil and low amounts of red meat, eggs, sweets and processed foods. Stay sharp. Keeping the mind and therefore the brain acve is important for brain health and reducing the risk of developing demena. One way of doing this is through cognive training which involves doing mental exercises that challenge and smulate dierent aspects of thinking, memory and reasoning. Some evidence suggests that cognive training may improve cognive performance and delay age-related cognive decline. Keep connected. Social acvity may help prevent or delay demena by reducing stress, enhancing mood and providing mental smulaon. Social acvity can also provide emoonal support and a sense of belonging. Some examples of social acvies that can help with maintain brain health include joining clubs or groups, volunteering, vising friends or family, or taking educaonal and vocaonal classes. Brain health is something we all need to take part in developing. It’s never too early or too late to improve your brain health. Events that will help to support the campaign.The Big Brain Challenge which will start on 24th May 2024 and will involve vising 25 sites around the island with the chance of winning an iPad. An evening of brain health discussions held online on are due to be held in May 2024, see our website for further details.Brain health awareness raising sessions that will be oered to the general public, businesses and other organisaons.Physical and social activities have many health benefits for the body and the brain

8There are over 100 types of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of demena contribung to 60-70% of all causes. (WHO)Did you Did you know?know?Free training forFree training forfamily carers family carers Demena Jersey has listened to family carers, many of whom have asked for praccal training on caring for someone with demena. We are very pleased to announce that we have developed free training called the Demena Informaon Programme (DIP). This consists of 1 session per week run over 4 weeks. Each session is 2 hours long. It is classroom based, which features dierent scenarios and acvies that keep the sessions interesng, informave and engaging. Aendees will have the opon to choose between a morning or evening programme. The programme will be repeated three mes per year, with each cohort capped at 15 aendees to ensure inclusivity and personalised aenon. Demena Jersey’s Lead Demena Advisor, Wendy Munn, has overall responsibility for the delivery of the programme, with other sta members delivering specic topics, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experse to the course. Below are some details about each session - Session 1: About demena.   This session introduces aendees to what demena is, the dierent types, possible treatments and how Demena Jersey can help support caring for a person with demena. Session 2: The caring role.   This session focuses on what it means to be a carer, the importance of communicaon in the care process and how to provide praccal support for people with demena. Session 3: What happens aer diagnosis?  This session looks at the role of healthcare professionals you’ll meet, the impact of demena on driving, capacity and decision making. Lasng Power of Aorney will also be discussed. Session 4: Helping the person with dementia and helping yourself. This session includes praccal ps for carers, invesgates the carer’s allowance, discusses respite opons and nishes with the importance of self-care. Attendees from our April course said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant. I had no idea about how many brain diseases caused demena or how changes Thank you to Jersey Bus Tours for lending us their headphones for this event

9Dementia Information Programme (DIP)Free training forFree training forfamily carers family carers to the brain result in certain symptoms. It’s given me a new perspecve on things.”“The fact it’s so praccal is great. The workshop we did with gloves and ear defenders to replicate the sensory challenges people with demena face was eye opening.” Parcipants will receive folders at the start of the programme to keep handouts and notes, creang a valuable reference resource to use aer they have completed the programme. You can book a place on the programme via Eventbrite or through our website. Find out more at www.demena.je/DIP or scan this QR code.

10Our newOur newCarer’s packCarer’s packReceiving a diagnosis of demena can be dicult, so we know that good, accessible informaon and access to a range of support services can be a lifeline. We’ve put together a bespoke pack for carers based on our many years of experience supporng people with demena and their families and friends. It contains many of the things they’ve asked for over the years. Here’s an overview of what to expect: A guide to our services  This guide outlines all the services Demena Jersey provides from our range of therapeuc acvies, to support groups, training and prevenon including our Boost Your Brain campaign to reduce people’s risk of development demena. Demena Pathway  This pathway arculates the dierent stages someone with demena will progress through and the support available at each stage.Long Term Care Scheme   Informaon about the Government of Jersey’s long-term care scheme, which provides nancial support to Jersey residents, is provided in the pack.

LEAP11Aid to Locate Booklet   This is a helpful guide which assists care workers, family members, the police and partner agencies if a vulnerable person is reported missing. This is Me Booklet ‘This is me’ can be used to record details about a person who can’t easily share informaon about themselves and can be used in any seng - at home, in hospital, in respite care or in a care home which can help to reduce distress for the person living with demena.Memory Assessment Leaet   This is a helpful leaet from the Memory Assessment Service about their service. Lasting Power of Attorney   A Lasng Power of Aorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets a ‘donor’ appoint one or more people known as ‘aorneys’ to help them make decisions or to make decisions on their behalf. This gives more control over what happens to them if they can’t make their own decisions because demena is aecng their thinking and they are deemed to ‘lack capacity’.Sunower Lanyard Scheme The Hidden Disabilies Sunower is a globally-recognised symbol for non-visible disabilies, also known as hidden disabilies or invisible disabilies. A lanyard featuring the Sunower is available from Demena Jersey.Dementia Jersey is here to help you, so please contact us if you would like to speak to someone about your situaon or about any aspect of dementia, its causes and symptoms. If you would like to speak to a Dementia Advisor, please call in to our oce. Email: info@dementia.je or Tel: 723519.Carer Support

12Dementia Dementia WeekWeekAwarenessAwarenessEvents, Acvities and Dementia Friends Sessions - supporng our community and raising awareness.This Dementia Awareness Week (13th – 19th May), Dementia Jersey invites you to join us in making a dierence in our local community. Throughout the week, we’ll be hosng a variety of events and acvies to raise awareness and foster a demena-friendly Jersey. Our focus this year is brain health – raising awareness that loving your heart, keeping connected and staying sharp in your 40s and 50s, are all ways you can reduce your risk of demena. You can nd out more about our Boost Your Brain campaign here: www.demena.je/boostyourbrainMAY13th - 19th

13Information standsVisit our Demena Awareness stand on the High Street and learn more about demena and the various support services available for people living with demena. Our friendly team will be on hand to answer your quesons, share valuable resources and provide guidance for anyone aected by demena. You can also nd out how you can get involved in our upcoming fundraising challenges. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with us and show your support.Dementia Friends Sessions at Santander Work CaféBecome a Demena Friend and learn more about demena and the ways you can help create a more inclusive community at our free sessions held at Santander Work Café. Our informave and interacve workshops are open to everyone and are designed to promote understanding, empathy and praccal support for those aected by demena. Sign up for a session today and be a part of our movement to create a demena-friendly Jersey.Bag Packing at Coop Grand Marche (St Helier)Join us for a fun and engaging acvity at your local Coop, where we’ll be bag-packing to raise funds for Demena Jersey. This iniave will directly support our eorts to provide essenal services. Come nd our wonderful bag packer volunteers and show your support. What’s on this Dementia Awareness What’s on this Dementia Awareness WeekWeekTogether, we can make a posive impact in the lives of those living with dementia and create a more supportive community for all. We look forward to seeing you during Dementia Awareness Week.If you have any quesons or want to nd out more please Email: nadine@dementia.je Awareness Stand on the High StreetMonday 13th May • NatWest Library Place • 10:00 - 15:00Tuesday 14th May • Charing Cross • 10:00 - 14:00Wednesday 15th May • Charing Cross • 10:00 - 14:00Thursday 16th May • Brook Street • 10:00 - 14:00Friday 17th May • Waitrose, St Saviour • 10:00 - 15:00Dementia Friends Sessions at Santander Work Café:Tuesday 14th May • 12:00 - 13:00Wednesday 15th May • 13:00 -14:00Bag Packing at CoopFriday 17th May • 12:00 - 16:00Dates for your diaryDates for your diary

14FundraiserFundraiserShout OutsShout OutsWe have incredible individuals and organisaons taking on their own challenges and fundraising events to help raise money for Demena Jersey. Here are just a few of them…Nima and Conor | Mount Kilimanjaro | Money raised: over £4,400

15St Peter’s Golf Society | Money raised: £3,000Rachael | Manchester Marathon in memory of her dad | Money raised: over £1,000 (so far)JCG | Sister Act producon | Money raised: £1,000RBC | Easter Fundraiser | Money raised:over £1,130 from Easter Rae plus 100 Easter Eggs donated

Dementia FriendlyDementia FriendlyActivitiesActivitiesDementia Jersey oer a range of activities each week for people living with or affected by dementia and their carers. Our full list of activities can be viewed on the following pages. These group activities are very popular so please contact us to register and to check that we have space.16

Why S Club? Well, we oer aendees a chance to: • Strike with our seated boxing sessions, led by Daniel from Boxing.je• Step with Ann and her Eastern inspired movement session• Stretch with Helen B and her seated yoga• Shimmy with Karl at our chair based disco sessionKarl, Ann & Helen all work for Step 55. All four instructors have been fantasc and have adapted their sessions to be as inclusive as possible with aendees able to remain seated, if they prefer, throughout the sessions. Aendees can choose to come every week and try all the groups or opt to just come to the sessions they get the most from. We have been thrilled by the enthusiasm and commitment already shown by our regular aendees.There is something quite therapeuc about being allowed to throw a punch or boogie on down to YMCA. The calming eect of focusing on a series of small hand movements or moving through the yoga posions working on your breathing is fabulous. One of our volunteers observed that it was lovely to see the posive changes in condence levels as the group improves their skills and become more familiar with our sessions.New activity launched for 202417Gentle exercise Gentle exercise programmeprogrammeS ClubS ClubNEWIf you wish to learn more about S Club or any of the acvies run by Demena Jersey please visit our website or contact our Acvies and Volunteer Coordinator, Susie Kelly: Email: susie@demena.je or Tel: 01534 723519With the advent of the New Year the S Club was launched. Embracing a “New Year, New You” ethos our gentle exercise programme has been a resounding success.

Weekly Activities18Fun ‘n’ Games Fun ‘n’ Games Out WestOut WestTime: 14:00 - 15:30Venue: St BreladeEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required Join us for Fun ‘n’ Games every Monday aernoon at Communicare St Brelade.Jigsaws, painng and colouring, dominoes, Bingo and cards, or bring along your portable cra and join our knit and naer corner.MondaysTime: 10:30 - 11:30 Venue: St HelierEvent Cost: Free + £3 for Coee & Connect Booking in advance is required Splashchat is a weekly social swimming group jointly run by the Occupaonal Therapists, the Memory Assessment Service, Demena Jersey and the AquaSplash. A 30 minute swim is followed by the opportunity to join the Coee & Connect group aerwards.SplashchatSplashchatTuesdays

Weekly ActivitiesCoffee & ConnectCoffee & ConnectS ClubS ClubTime: 11:00 - 12:30Venue: St HelierEvent Cost: Free + £3 for refreshmentsBooking in advance is required Join us every Tuesday for a cuppa and an opportunity to talk with other people living with demena, their carers and our volunteers. Coee & Connect provides a great seng for those living with demena and those caring for someone with demena, to take a break and connect with others who are going through the same journey. Share stories or just listen and share some laughter.Time: 14:30 - 16:00Venue: St Marn’s Public HallEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required S Club is a new programme of gentle exercises which rotate on a weekly basis and include:Strike – seated boxingStretch – gentle chair based yogaStep – Tai Chi movesShimmy – a fun dance session.TuesdaysTuesdays19

Weekly ActivitiesPétanque in the ParkPétanque in the ParkTime: 10:30 - 12:00Venue: St MarnEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required Any budding Pétanque players please join us. St Marn’s Village Green is a great venue for a walk too so we hope to get people acve either by playing Pétanque, having a walk, or both. Join us for a drink which we serve at the Pétanque terrain. We hold indoor Pétanque sessions during the winter months.Thursdays20Time: 14:30 - 15:30Venue: Various locaonsEvent Cost: Free - Plus cost of refreshmentsBooking in advance is required Meeng at dierent locaons across the island, when weather allows we like to go for a gentle 30-minute walk followed by a refreshment break.Walk ‘n’ TalkWalk ‘n’ TalkTime: Session 1 - 10:00 - 11:15Time: Session 2 - 11:30 - 12.:45 Venue: St PeterEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required A creave and social group specically designed for people with demena and members of their families and carers. Join us and explore your creavity. Free parking.Art ExplorationArt ExplorationWednesdaysWednesdays

Did you Did you know?know? In 2023 we had over 8,500 aendances to appointments with Dementia Advisors, events for carers and our programme of activities.Weekly ActivitiesFun ‘n’ Games Fun ‘n’ Games Out EastOut EastTime: 14:00 - 15:30Venue: St ClementEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required Join us for Fun ‘n’ Games every Thursday aernoon at a venue out east. Jigsaws, painng and colouring, dominoes, Bingo and cards, or bring along your portable cra and join our knit and naer corner.Thursdays21Poem by Pam TrehiouHow I can remember the balmy daysFamily barbecues,Beach and laughterHow I can remember weekend eveningsStrolling through town So proud to be with youHigh heels and sore toesHow I can remember Holidays, travellingNew places, geng lost Airport panicsHow I can remember Christmas meals, trestle tablesOdd chairsLaughter, compeons, gamesHow I can remember Jack, Raes, Molly & LolaSpecial dogs, special lapsHow I can remember The special looks, evening cuddlesLove across rooms In crowded spacesHow can you forget?

Weekly Activities22Musical MemoriesMusical MemoriesTime: 15:30 - 17:00Venue: St HelierEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required Musical Memories is a weekly singing group for people with demena and their carers. Join us as we sing well loved songs, play musical instruments and engage in musical acvies.Most of all we have fun and share laughter with an aim to:• Smulate memory• Increase communicaon• Encourage social networks.Rusty voices welcome.FridaysTime: 10:30 - 12:00Venue: St ClementEvent Cost: Free - refreshments includedBooking in advance is required Join Demena Jersey and enjoy the benets of the great outdoors at our Forget-Me-Not-Plot allotment gardening club. This space has to be seen to be believed.Get your hands dirty or just come and enjoy a tea or coee in peaceful surroundings.Please make sure you call the oce to check when our acvity starts back in 2024.Gardening ClubGardening ClubFridays

Carer SupportCarer SupportBecause we know that some of the most valuable support we receive in life comes from others who have experienced life events similar to our own, Dementia Jersey oers dierent opportunies for people to meet for mutual support and encouragement and to share knowledge and experiences.We have a choice of support groups available throughout each month. These are held at various mes including morning, aernoon and evenings and at various comfortable locaons including the Radisson hotel in town, Holme Grown in Grouville, Communicare St Brelade’s and at Demena Jersey, Osprey House in St Helier.These are free, friendly, supporve groups, open to anyone supporng or caring for a relave or friend with demena. Our Demena Advisor team aend these meengs and will be happy to chat with you too.To find out more and book your place please contact our Lead Demena Advisor, Wendy Munn. Email: wendy2@dementia.je Tel: 01534 723519Carer Support GroupHolme GrownWhen: First Wednesday of the monthTime: 11:00 - 13:00 Carer Support GroupRadisson BlueWhen: Third Wednesday of the monthTime: 11:00 - 13:00 Boys Own Support GroupOsprey HouseWhen: Second Wednesday of the monthTime: 19:00 - 21:00 Boys Own Support GroupCommunicareWhen: Fourth Wednesday of the monthTime: 14:00 - 16:00 Starting Starting soon!soon!New evening Carer Support sessions will be held from June 202423Dates Dates for your for your diarydiaryMeetingsMeetingsMeetingsMeetings

The Meeting PlaceThe Meeting PlaceProjectProject24We have a brand-new Meeng Place Group in St SaviourWe are delighted to share that our programme of community-based support groups for those with mild symptoms of demena is growing. The new group, currently based in St Saviour’s church, resulted from feedback our service users gave us highlighng the need for an aernoon session to complement our exisng morning sessions. Demena aects everyone dierently, so it is brilliant to have the new group for those who may nd mornings a struggle. The Meeng Place Project oers weekly sessions of brain-smulang acvies and peer support for those who are sll living independently with demena. For more informaon on applying for the project, visit our website or contact us today.

In January we discussed St Andrew’s Day, Scotland and golf. Our members and volunteers got to show o their golf skills on our mini pung green.Our cognive-stimulation sessions also focused on Valene’s Day, St David’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and of course Easter.Look what else we’ve been getting up toDementia EducationMeeting Place Project session at CommunicareCommunicare golf on St Andrew’s Day January 2024We were delighted to be the recipients of some chocolate eggs from our corporate partner RBC tooFor an informal discussion and to apply to attend please contact Demena Jersey at info@dementia.je or call us on 01534 723519Did you Did you know?know?100% of aendees to our acvies say they enjoy meeng people in the same boat and 75% said they feel less isolated.25

A one hour interactive session to learn about dementiaSessions are held once a month at the Sessions are held once a month at the Jersey Library.Jersey Library.Our Demena Friends programme aims to change the way people think, act and talk about demena. Each session includes 5 key messages on demena as well as acvies to enhance people’s understanding of demena.With increased awareness and further understanding local people can beer support those living with demena.Booking in advance is requiredTo book a session scan the QR code or contact our Educaon Coordinator Jane Vincent.Tel: 01534 723519 Email: jane@dementia.jewww.dementia.jeBecome a Become a Dementia Dementia FriendFriendSign up nowSign up nowScan this QR code to book your session

EducationEducation27The start of 2024 has been as busy as ever.Move More Jersey, Aztec, Beaulieu School, Family Nursing & Home Care, St Helier Town Hall, St John Ambulance and St Clement WI have all taken part in our Demena Friends Jersey iniave.Les Landes primary school invited Dan to their whole school assembly, the Country Men’s Club invited Peter to talk at one of their regular evening meet-ups and new corporate partner RBC invited us to their oces to talk to sta aer nominang us as their charity of the year.Talk to RBC about our charity and an introducon to demenaDan talking during the Les Landes school assembly in JanuarySome new Dementia Friends from Family Nursing & Home CareSt Helier Town Hall team members became Demena Friends tooDementiaDementia

2828Lived Experience Lived Experience Advisory PanelAdvisory Panel (LEAP)This quarterly panel unites demena paents and caregivers to discuss key issues and shares outcomes with relevant stakeholders like government, healthcare providers and businesses. Discussion topics are submied by panel members or through Demena Jersey’s sta.Coping with DementiaIn July, Demena Jersey hosted four LEAP panel sessions, drawing 26 parcipants—including 18 with demena and 8 caregivers. The discussions, anonymised for privacy, revealed essenal coping strategies and the supporve roles of family, friends and Demena Jersey.  Parcipants emphasised the emoonal support derived from their networks and shared acvies that help them stay mentally acve, such as aending the Meeng Place Project and maintaining personal diaries. Caregivers highlighted the shiing challenges of care, nong that techniques must adapt as the person with demena changes.Self-care emerged as a crucial theme. Members with demena spoke of the importance of staying physically acve and socially engaged to manage their well-being. Simple acons like seng the table or organising daily rounes with partners were noted as ways to contribute to household life and retain a sense of inclusion.Daily management strategies included using blister packs for medicaons and wring schedules on whiteboards to ease memory pressures. Parcipants discussed the LEAPCarers talked about the need for daily demena management strategies including using blister packs for medicaons

29Lived Experience Advisory Panelimportance of accepng a diagnosis and adapng to roune changes without self-reproach.Sleep disturbances and the overall social impact of living with demena were also discussed. Caregivers expressed the relentless nature of their role, emphasising the need for personal well-being and maintaining social connecons to manage the stress and isolaon associated with demena care.Advice for others touched on maintaining dignity, seeking support and the therapeuc benets of laughter. The panel also discussed the societal sgma surrounding demena, underscoring the importance of community awareness facilitated by Demena Jersey.Despite the challenges, no formal recommendaons were made, reecng the personal and evolving nature of coping with demena as shared by the LEAP panel parcipants.Winter ReflectionsIn December the Dementia Jersey LEAP panel convened to discuss the seasonal impacts of winter on people with demena and their carers. The sessions, aended by 33 individuals with demena and 9 caregivers, explored changes in roune, increased isolaon and safety concerns typical of the colder months. Panel discussions began with nostalgic recollecons of winters past—from sledding and snowball ghts to warm reside gatherings and the hardships during war mes. These shared memories provided a poignant backdrop for understanding the present-day winter experiences of those with demena.Members fondly recalled favourite winter tradions like Midnight Mass, Christmas Carers felt that sleep disturbances added to the pressures of caring for a person with demena

30baking and the newer Elf on the Shelf game, highlighng how such tradions evolve or hold steady even as families change. This segued into discussions on current winter acvies, emphasising the importance of staying physically and mentally acve to combat the shorter, darker days that can oen lead to mood dips.Parcipants discussed praccal aspects of winter living, from dressing warmly in modern, improved fabrics to the challenges some face in managing their wardrobe or maintaining warmth, parcularly as physical sensivies change.Travel emerged as a signicant theme, with some members escaping to warmer climates or celebrang tradional fesvies like Scotland’s Hogmanay, showing how some connue to adapt their winter rounes post-diagnosis.Safety precauons were also a key topic, with discussions on u and COVID-19 vaccinaons, stockpiling essenals and staying vigilant about scams during the holiday season. Physical safety, parcularly concerns about falling in icy condions, was noted, with some opng to stay indoors more frequently.Dietary changes during winter were touched upon, with many describing their favourite comfort foods and adjustments made for healthier eang in light of their demena.While the panel appreciated the support from Demena Jersey, there was a consensus that government services could be more robust, underscoring a desire for broader systemic support.LEAPIn December the panel members began the discussion with nostalgic recollecons of winters past

31Lived Experience Advisory PanelThe session concluded on a lighter note, with spontaneous singing of winter classics from “Jingle Bells” to “Last Christmas,” underscoring the joyous undertones of the season despite its challenges.No formal recommendaons were made, but the discussions underscored the importance of maintaining tradions, adapng acvies to suit current abilies and ensuring robust support systems—themes that Demena Jersey plans to revisit in future panels, especially concerning the observed increase in winter-me depression.Safety precauons were also a key topic, with discussions on u and COVID-19 vaccinaonOur Lived Experience Advisory panel (LEAP) meets 4 mes a year and brings together up to 25 people with dementia and others with lived experience of supporng or caring for a person with demena, across 4 groups.The panel discuss important issues related to living with a diagnosis of demena to inform others with accurate informaon and to help reduce sgma.If you would like more informaon about Demena Jersey’s LEAP sessions or would like to talk with one of the team about joining a LEAP meeng, please contact Demena Jersey on 01534 723519 or email info@demena.je.Scan the QR Code to visit our LEAP website pages

Getting Getting to know...to know...32

Mike and his elder brother were born in Sri Lanka where their father worked as a Tea Broker in Columbo. The brothers enjoyed their boarding school days in the hill country. Mike moved to Jersey at age nine, where he also boarded at Victoria College.Mike’s favourite role was as a Radio Ocer for The Ports of Jersey, working from an old German observaon tower unl rerement. His least favourite job was as a teenager on a farm, tasked with wringing chickens’ necks.In rerement, Mike volunteered for eight years at Jersey Zoo, primarily feeding the occasionally hosle amingos. Despite their beauty, the amingos were reluctant eaters.Boang was a central hobby for Mike, starng in Bermuda during his school years. Later, in London, he bought a boat and connued sailing in Jersey with his family. They enjoyed trips to Herm, Guernsey and France.Mike, along with his wife Ruth and their children, travelled extensively, favouring cruises to Alaska, China and Japan. A decade ago, Mike returned to his birthplace in Sri Lanka, vising the house he was born in and enjoyed tea with the current owners telling them he could remember sliding downthe banister there.you may (or may not) know about Mike:5 FactsGetting to knowMike lives in St Helier with his wife Ruth. Their home is opposite Elizabeth Castle where he can watch all the boats sailing in and out of the harbour. They have two children, Ross and Hannah, who are both a huge support.  Hannah is married with two young children Fin and Joey. Their son Ross is a serial extreme sports addict, paragliding in Jersey, Nepal, Colombia and the Alps. Ross has just returned from a month’s trekking in Nepal, making it to Everest Base Camp. Mike aends The Meeng Place on Monday mornings and Musical Memories on Friday aernoons. He enjoys them both equally because of the variety of topics at The Meeng Place and the feel-good factor of Musical Memories.  Both Mike and Ruth are very grateful to Demena Jersey for the support, advice, and listening ear on this hard journey.Mike has taken part in the Life Story Project that Demena Jersey runs in partnership with the Rotary Club of Jersey. This arcle is an adaptaon from Mike’s Life Story. If you would like to take part, or know someone who would, then please contact us at info@demena.je Meet activities attendeeMike Fearnley1234533

Volunteer Volunteer SpotlightSpotlight3434

Volunteer SpotlightVolunteering, regardless of the context or seng, plays a crucial role in bolstering our local communies, advancing overall health and well-being. It is indeed an excellent method for staying engaged and maintaining an acve lifestyle within the community.I was born and educated in South Devon, where I spent my formave years in the town of Torquay. I met my future husband while we were both students in Bristol. Aer our marriage in 1981, we relocated to Jersey, where we have since been blessed with two sons.My involvement with Demena Jersey began when the then Chair of the Jersey Alzheimer’s Associaon was volunteering in my school class and upon my rerement she invited me to join her as a volunteer when they launched a new venture known as the Art Exploraon Group. It’s intriguing to see how life can come full circle in such unexpected and rewarding ways.Throughout my me volunteering, I have had the honour of working alongside individuals who, despite the various challenges they encounter, consistently exhibit a posive and enthusiasc approach to life. Displaying kindness and empathy truly makes a profound impact, and it is vital that we all incorporate these values into our interacons with one another.Beyond my volunteering eorts, I indulge in several hobbies that enrich my life. I relish gardening, aending live music events, swimming, reading, traveling and taking regular strolls through the countryside. Spending quality me with my family and friends is profoundly important to me and I thrive on meeng and engaging with a diverse array of individuals.Volunteer at our Art Exploraon sessionsI genuinely cherish my role as a volunteer with the Art Exploraon Group; it serves as an exceponal opportunity to connect with others and allows me to share and explore my personal passion for art and creave pursuits. This group has established itself as a ‘safe space’ where informal conversaons thrive, providing support to both carers and their loved ones. It’s not only fun, relaxing and enjoyable, but it also fosters a warm, supporve community atmosphere.Alison Le FeuvreVolunteerVolunteerInterested in volunteering? Please contact our Activities and Volunteer Coordinator Susie Kelly: Email: susie@dementia.je Tel: 01534 72351935

Meet our CEOClaudine Snape What I love about my jobLeading an organisaon dedicated to supporng people aected by demena makes me feel like I’m part of a team making a tangible impact on people’s lives. The feedback we get about the posive dierence we make is the reason I go to work. I also love the variety of my job, as I’m involved in quite a few dierent aspects of the charity, from fundraising, governance to campaigning and making sure sta feel they’re all working towards a shared goal. Did you knowClaudine used to play Slow-pitch Soball for Great Britain and has won several European gold medals and a World Cup silver medal. When not playing or coaching Soball, she is kept on her toes by her son; she also likes to make marmalade and plan the next home renovaon project. Claudine joined Demena Jersey as CEO in May 2021. Claudine grew up in Jersey and aer graduang worked in the charity sector in the UK for just under 20 years. She has held senior roles for charies including Cancer Research UK, Asthma UK and the Naonal Deaf Children’s Society. Meet the team36Lack of knowledge about demena leads to inaccurate assumpons about its eects on the person and their family and negave stereotypes about how a person with demena will behave.Did you Did you know?know?

Support those living with dementia in Jersey by giving monthlyScan this QR code to visit our donations page£5 £10 £20will pay for new song books for our popular Musical Memories sessions for people with dementia.will pay for plants and owers in our new therapeuc allotment site for people with dementia.will pay for a face-to-face support session for up to 20 carers run by our Dementia Advisors.a month a month a monthwww.dementia.jeIndividuals that give a monthly gi move us a step closer to achieving our vision of a dementia friendly island.DonateDonateBy choosing to donate monthly, you’re helping to make sure we can connue to provide life-changing support to islanders living with dementia. A regular gi means we can rely on consistent support and more eecvely budget throughout the year. Dementia Jersey exists to provide advice, support and informaon to the community as a whole. Our aim is to not only help about 1,600 people living with dementia on the island, but to also raise awareness and educate people to help remove the sgma and make Jersey a truly dementia friendly island. 37

38Book ClubWhether con or non-ction, reading can be a great way to increase understanding about demena, as well as providing a useful acvity with people with dementia to help stimulate and maintain connections. This issue we feature two books that are recommended by our friends at Dementia UK.Still Alice by Lisa Genova Young Onset Dementia: A Guide to Recognition, Diagnosis, and Supporting Individuals with Dementia and Their Familiesby Hilda Hayo, Alison Ward and Jacqueline Parkes. Foreword by Wendy MitchellWhen Alice nds herself in the rapidly downward spiral of Alzheimer’s Disease she is just y years old. A university professor, wife, and mother of three, she sll has so much more to do - books to write, places to see, grandchildren to meet. But when she can’t remember how to make her famous Christmas pudding, when she gets lost in her own back yard, when she fails to recognise her actress daughter aer a superb performance, she comes up with a desperate plan. But can she see it through? Should she see it through?Losing her yesterdays, living for each day, her short-term memory is hanging on by a couple of frayed threads. But she is sll Alice. A conal story, with excellent reviews. Available from Amazon as Paperback and KindleProviding key informaon and insight into the experiences of people living with a diagnosis of young onset demena, this book will increase the knowledge and skills of health and social care professionals in the early recognion, diagnosis and support of young people with demena and their families.The book explores the experiences of people living with a diagnosis of young onset demena through detailed case studies, and gives learning points to implement in pracce for the beer provision of appropriate support and care. It explains the need for adapng services which are oen designed for older people, and how the complicated diagnosc process can lead to misdiagnosis among younger people. Key issues are considered, including at-risk groups, work and dealing with potenal loss of employment, changes in personal and family relaonships, readjusng life expectaons and plans, and social isolaon.Available from Amazon as Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle and Audiobook

39Consumer CornerIn each issue of Dementia Matters we will provide reviews of products and tech that are designed to help people with demena. In this issue we have selected items featured on the Alzheimer’s Society website. Demena Radio & Music Player FM / DAB+ / MP3Demena-friendly signage can help orientate a person living with demena and allow them to maintain their independence. These signs can consist of text, images, or a combinaon of both, and any text should ideally contrast with the background to be easy to read. Our range of adhesive signs can be used on almost any surface, removed without leaving marks and re-used again and again.Available from Alzheimer’s Society online shop for £124.99Scan QR code to view this product on their website.KeywingA simple soluon to the problem of using keys which have a small surface area making them dicult to grip and turn. The Keywing clips over the key to provide a much wider nger contact area which improves grip and leverage when turning. Available singly, or as a pack of 3 colours allowing the user to colour-code their keys and nd the right one rst me, every me.Available from Alzheimer’s Society online shop for £4.99Scan QR code to view this product on their website.Soothing sounds night lightThis praccal, portable night light allows users to dri o to the tranquil sounds of nature, a selecon of beauful composions or the soothing sound of white noise. Ideal for those with insomnia or to help mask the eects of nnitus.Available from Alzheimer’s Society online shop for £47.99Scan QR code to view this product on their website.

Ways you can Ways you can support ussupport usOur running costs are over £600,000 per annum. We therefore rely on the support and generosity of the public and the business community. All money raised in Jersey is spent in Jersey.Donate OnlineDonate OnlineMake a donaon online via our website: www.dementia.jeDonate by chequeDonate by chequePlease make cheques payable to ‘Dementia Jersey’ and send to our office at the address below.FundraiseFundraiseRaise money through a challenge event by walking, cycling, abseiling, trekking or skydiving for Dementia Jersey; or pick a challenge of your own. Please contact Nadine for more information. Email: nadine@dementia.jeVolunteerVolunteerConsider volunteering at our events. For more information please contact our Activities and Volunteer Coordinator, Susie. Email: susie@dementia.jeContact usContact usTel: 01534 723519Email: info@dementia.jeWeb: www.dementia.jePost: Dementia Jersey, Osprey House, Old Street, St Helier, JE2 3RG Hours: 9.00 - 14.00 Monday to FridayJersey Charities Commission number 42 • Patron Dr Karen KydFind, Like and Share us onwww.dementia.jeScan This QR Code to visit our donations pageThis magazine is kindly sponsored bySkiptonCommunityFund