Dementia Assisting Self Help Group Blog!

 The Memory Service National Accreditation Programme (MSNAP) recently held an art competition for those living with dementia, in which two of our DASH members submitted their work.  We would like to say a massive congratulations to David for winning the competition with his painting of the Bridgeways building where the DASH group is held!  His artwork will be featured in the upcoming annual forum as well as in future publications and marketing materials. Another massive congratulations to Cathy for her submission, who received the following feedback: " Please extend our heartfelt thanks to Cathy for taking part in our recent  Art work  Competition . Your creativity, thoughtfulness, and expression were truly inspiring, and we were honoured to receive your submission titled Learning new skills with dementia" We are so proud of both David and Cathy for all their hard work and contributions to the DASH group. Keep up the great work!

I am Andrew Sims. A member of the Bromley DASH ( D ementia   A ssisting  S elf   H elp) Group. I am a user of the Memory Service provided in Bromley, Kent. Prior to retirement I was the manager of the Residential Underwriting Department of an international bank and had been employed in a variety of positions in a Building Society and latterly the Bank for almost 40 years. My dementia diagnosis was not, surprisingly, a huge shock for me since I had become aware over a period of time that my memory had changed in certain specific areas, particularly centred on name recall and word recall, although I recognise that I had developed strategies to manage the issues. Meeting with other people in the DASH group with similar related concerns has enabled me to come to terms with the condition and together we have been able to formulate processes and strategies which have been promulgated and utilised by others outside the group. I am encouraged that I am still able to make use of m...

My name is Cathy and I was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia in March 2023. Being a member of the DASH group has given me the opportunity to help the professionals who are involved with people living with dementia. Part of the plan of the group is to attend interview panels to give our opinion of the candidates being interviewed for the job advertised.  I have sat on 3 panels recently. The first was for occupational therapy. I was amazed by the qualification (on paper) these candidates had, the work ethic seemed very creditable. One of the candidates was not happy that there were 5 people on the interview panel and asked for the student (who was there to support me) to leave. While I understand she had every right to have her say, I felt quite upset that my support had to leave, because of this, I didn't stay for the interview. What I have learnt from this experience is that although I am living with dementia, I still have a choice to say no when I feel uncomfortable.  The ne...

In 2022, my wife felt that I was forgetful. When we went abroad, she noticed I was a little confused. I then went for a brain scan in March 2023. My assessment was carried out by the Bromley Memory Service, and I was diagnosed with a mild form of mixed Alzheimer's and Vascular dementia. Since then, I have had a different perspective on life. I believe that everyday is a new day and I have strong faith in my religion and believe that everything that happens, Allah has desired for it to happen.  I am a Muslim and my religion is Islam. Islam is the religion to the will of God. Muslims believe there is one God known as Allah. There are 5 pillars of Islam: 1. Shahada (declaration of faith) 2. Salah (prayer) 3. Zakat (giving charity) 4. Swam (fasting) 5. Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). Our prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Quran are interlinked, and we follow the divine revelation of the word of the Quran. Which is the word of God. Even though I had lost concentration, had poor me...

  When starting my painting, I was confident that I could paint as good as I painted before Dementia. I soon found out I was wrong! My first painting effort of Bridgeways was just not good enough and I decided to start again. My second painting effort, like number one above, was not good enough and I was beginning to think that my Dementia was the reason but I was determined to get it right. My third painting effort was again not good enough which helped me confirm that the Dementia factor was the reason.    After considerable determination, the fourth attempt I accepted to be good enough and as a result I was relieved to think I could still paint to a reasonable standard.  - David

  Before I was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia I worked full time. I used to do some basic knitting, and a very limited amount of crochet. I had been looking for a knitting/ crochet group to join, the only ones I could find were on weekdays, which I couldn’t attend due to working commitments.  When I was diagnosed, I had to stop working which was a massive change to my life. I knew I needed to keep my brain as active as possible, so I decided to join a knit and natter group.    This group really helped me as the ladies in the group are very friendly and great company. This gave me a place where I can go to socialise, they all know I have dementia and are really supportive. They have taught me to crochet and believe I can still learn new skills. The granny square blanket I made has given me a sense of achievement and is proof I can still be useful.   Cathy