The Alzheimer’s Society have chosen ‘diagnosis’ as this year’s theme to encourage those who might be living with, or close to someone who might be living with undiagnosed dementia to be able to understand and recognise potential dementia symptoms and feel empowered to take the next step.
If you or other people are noticing that memory problems are getting worse or affecting every day life, you can get support and information on the right steps to take at https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week
Loneliness affects millions of people in the UK every year and is a key driver of poor mental health. The Foundation’s ‘mental health in the pandemic’ research has found that loneliness has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. The week aims to raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental wellbeing and the practical steps we can take to address it.
Read more about the research here https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/news/mental-health-foundation-announces-loneliness-theme-mental-health-awareness-week-2022
If you need support with your mental health or are worried about someone else visit https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/ for more information.
Every year, people around the country use Dying Matters Awareness Week as a moment to encourage all communities to get talking in whatever way, shape or form works for them.
With the pandemic far from over, the UK is still struggling with big questions about how and where we die, who we are with at the end and what care and support we have in place.
The mission is to help people to talk about dying and grief, and plan for the end of life. For more information and support visit https://www.hospiceuk.org/
Sun Awareness Week is annual campaign aimed at raising awareness of the importance of sun protection especially during the Summer.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and rates continue to rise, so making sure you are protected is vital.
Remember to take extra care to protect babies and children as their skin is much more sensitive. Find out more https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/seasonal-health/sunscreen-and-sun-safety/
This week is Deaf Awareness Week and this year is being used to celebrate deafness!
Did you know that 1 in 5 adults in the UK is deaf or has hearing loss? There are also over 50,000 deaf children and young people in the UK and some of those will be sharing their stories this week using the hashtag #MyDeafStory.
If you would like to know more about how you can communicate easier for someone who is deaf or has hearing loss there are a number of sites you can use:
https://rnid.org.uk/information-and-support/deaf-awareness/
https://www.ndcs.org.uk/deaf-awareness-week/#:~:text=Deaf%20Awareness%20Week%20is%20an,and%20be%20more%20deaf%20friendly.
Please be aware that we will be closed for the May Bank Holiday on Monday 2nd May and will re-open as normal on Tuesday 3rd May.
If you need medical advice during this period you can:
Visit your pharmacy. Your local pharmacy can provide confidential, expert advice and treatment for a range of common illnesses and complaints. Opening times for local Pharmacies can be downloaded
or you can visit NHS Choices.
Access NHS 111. If you need urgent medical advice but your condition is not life threatening, you can access NHS 111 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, either online or via phone.
To access the service online simply visit 111.nhs.uk, enter your age, sex, postcode and main symptom, and then you will be guided through a series of questions about your health problems.
To access the service via phone, simply dial 111 from any mobile or landline free of charge and you will be put through to an operator who will run through a few questions regarding your health problem in order to get you the right care.
A&E or 999. For a genuine medical emergency including; loss of consciousness, acute confused state and fits that are not stopping, persistent and or/severe chest pain, breathing difficulties, severe bleeding that cannot
be stopped call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.