Inside Hertswise dementia hubs

Learning that you have dementia is one thing, but deciding how to approach your diagnosis is another.

Many people deal with dementia in their own way, be it going to group activity sessions, staying close to family for support, or focusing on health and exercise. All of these approaches are helpful to keep the mind busy, and to turn dementia into a secondary concern albeit for a few hours or so.

Trying new things is something that can broaden your mind, and along with a way you could discover new talents! This is something that the team at Hertswise hope you achieve at their hubs. The hubs run Monday to Friday in different locations all over Hertfordshire, led by a wonderful team of Locality Workers.

Victoria, Locality Worker in North Hertfordshire, says: "I've been doing this job for about a year and a half now, and I feel very strongly about social care and giving back to the community. I hope that if my mum or dad are ever in that situation, or if I am in that position, that there will be someone there to help, like at the hub."

Although they have a great team, the hubs are really made into a community by the lovely people who attend them. Karina and Roy have been going to the Hertswise hubs for just over a year now. Roy has been living with dementia and parkinson's disease since 2014, but unfortunately has seen a further decline in his health this year. Karina said: "One of the best things about coming to these sessions is the enthusiasm Victoria has when she runs them, and of course meeting and talking to new people is great for Roy."

Janice and Roger are a couple that go to the hubs every week and have been very greatful for these types of sessions. Janice has had dementia now for three years, since her fall, which has left her with a fractureed skull and forehead. One of her favourite things to do in these sessions is 'drawing and using her brain'. She said: "I don't tend to forget things often, only about once every two months but when I do forget it is really annoying." 

Even though she did have a few reservations about coming to the hub for the first time, now she would not look back as it has helped her and her husband to enjoy a few hours together where dementia takes a back seat.