Calls for more dementia support groups as cases rise in Essex
An older people's community team in Essex is calling for more social groups to support those suffering with dementia, and to give their carers rest bite.
This Dementia Awareness Week (19 May -25 May 2025) aims to encourage individuals and organisations to take action and promote early diagnosis.
With cases in Essex rising, Mr Francis says "there's a growing need for groups like this".
The team, which is made up of professionals from Essex Partnership University Trust and Thurrock Council, set up two groups for patients, their families, and carers, at Grays Town Park Cafe in August 2024.
The group is for people to play games, cards, do some creative activities, meet others, and get support and advice.
Community Psychiatric Nurse, Ray Francis, from EPUT, said: "We listened to feedback from patients and their loved ones and realised there was a real need for this."
In Essex, nearly 23,000 people over 65 are estimated to be living with dementia, a figure projected to increase by 33% to around 29,437 by 2030.
The Essex Dementia Strategy (2022-2026), has been launched by local authorities across Greater Essex and the NHS that aims to improve dementia care and support across the county.
“If we didn’t have these spaces, people would be indoors and possibly struggling" says Mr Francis.
He adds, he and his colleagues are always looking at ways they can support patients and their families, either directly or by putting them in touch with other organisations.
Ray, who has been a qualified mental health nurse for 21 years and previously worked in a dementia crisis team, said: “We want to do everything we can to give people a choice.
"It may sound like a cliché, but we aim to treat people as we would like to be treated, or how we would like a family member to be treated.
“That is the type of care we want to put in place, a person-centred, very open and honest approach, and these groups provide that extra level of care.
“It can be very scary and daunting for patients and their loved ones when someone becomes ill, and it can be very confusing.
Meena, who cares for her Dad with dementia, attends the Grays Park group every week.
She says: "This is absolutely brilliant. I can teach my Dad board games, cards, it gets him out the house and meeting other people.
"It provides me with a bit of a break too. I used to travel a lot, now I don't. I've had to give my life up.
"No one ever asks if I want a break, that's life. But this gives me that little break."
Jean, who suffers with dementia, also comes to the social group every week.
She says "I love meeting new people, and they're nice people. I just don't remember their names!"
Within Essex, Clacton has the highest prevalence of dementia sufferers, currently standing at more than 1900.
However 1 in 3 people in the UK living with dementia do not have a diagnosis, according to the charity Dementia Society.
Essex county council have said the rising numbers of dementia sufferers within Essex, and their carers, is "a challenge that local authorities and the NHS across Greater Essex are determined to tackle together."