Dementia & Alzheimers Support

Dementia & Alzheimers Support Group

The Dementia and Alzheimer’s Support Group are a group of volunteers, several of whom have had Alzheimer’s Society training, providing a social support for people with dementia and their carers in St Ives and the local area.

The group work closely with the Alzheimer’s Society and organise monthly get togethers to give people with dementia and their carers a chance to get out and about as well as enjoy each other’s company.  Carers whose loved ones have died or who are in full time residential care are also encouraged to come.

These activities arranged by the group are fun and supportive and can be a welcome break for carers as well as a chance to support each other. To know more about the group and the events they hold, please contact 01480 463869.

Love to Move

Love to Move is the first cognitive enhancement exercise programme of its kind in the UK, based on scientific research carried out by Age UK. These one hour sessions consist of an age & dementia friendly seated movement programme to music and gives those with dementia physical, emotional & cognitive benefits. For more information about the Love to Move programme as well as some exercises that you can do at home, please download their brochure here or visit their website here.

How can Love to Move benefit you?

• The sessions use music along with a mixture of carefully designed low intensity exercises to get people moving and having fun. Increasing the heart rate and respiration to improve cardio vascular fitness and well-being in complete safety, as well as increasing muscle strength.
• Music is carefully selected to enhance memory, improve rhythm, co-ordination and movement patterns. Muscle memory through movement patterns and visualisation are encouraged, as well as a lot of laughter and fun.
• The sessions are 1 hour in duration and they are delivered weekly by a qualified deliverer with a working knowledge of delivering engaging activities for older people.
• The sessions are group sessions with all the benefits group work offers but also incorporates some partner work, where participants can enjoy interacting and communicating with each other or their loved ones whilst doing the activity. There can be an element of 1:1 support where necessary to enable someone to be able to take part, with the support of volunteers or the deliverer.
• These sessions are free and you don’t need book in advance. Simply come to the sessions that are convenient for you and when you feel able to. Refreshments are provided to all those who attend.