A Free young-onset dementia seminar

The UK’s leading reminiscence charity, Age Exchange, will be hosting a free virtual seminar showcasing the charity’s pioneering support for those with young-onset dementia, allowing guests to hear first-hand from those who have benefited from their methods.

The event, which is set to take place between 10am – 1pm on Thursday 2^nd December, is open to a wide audience from care givers to commissioners to GPs and other dementia support professionals.

Age Exchange are the UK’s leading reminiscence charity; their mission is to transform the lives of people with dementia and their carers by bringing generations together through the arts. The charity’s methods have been proven to improve the health and wellbeing and reduce loneliness for older people and have previously been recognised at the National Dementia Awards.

Taking place online, the seminar will feature powerful and thought-provoking talks from ‘experts by experience’ – those living with young-onset dementia and their loved ones – as they share their experience of being diagnosed, living with their condition and the challenges in accessing services to allow them to live their best lives possible.

It is hoped that the event will provide more visibility for people with young-onset dementia, who often require a different set of support than older people living with the condition. Many are often still of working age or have young children, presenting a very different set of pressures than those usually diagnosed.

Practical workshops and a series of presentations by dementia specialists from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, The National Lottery Community Fund and Age Exchange programme directors will also take place throughout the online event.

David Savill, Artistic Director at Age Exchange said:

“People with young-onset dementia face a unique set of challenges, such as receiving a timely and accurate diagnosis and gaining access to appropriate support, yet often they’re put in the same bracket as older people with the condition.”

He continued, “We know that the most successful way to support the people is to listen to them and their carers directly. This event will combine personal stories from people living with the condition, on important subjects such as coping strategies and the impact of the condition on jobs, families and finances. We hope that the seminar will give this group a voice, making them and their unique set of needs more visible.”

You can register online for the free seminar by clicking here. Please note that places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.