Dementia Assisting Self Help Group Blog!

On March 26th, the DASH Group held a very special social gathering at the Ripley Arts Centre in Bromley. This was the first time that we have held an event to celebrate the group's achievements, and it was wonderful to see so many members, partners, and staff join us! During the gathering, we shared some of the projects DASH members have worked on since the group began including our new DASH Video  that was recently filmed to present at the Oxleas Board Meeting, previous blog posts  members have written, and the many leaflets and posters which DASH have produced (communication tips for working with people with dementia, talking about your dementia diagnosis, and living with dementia). We were delighted to welcome our special guest, Chief Estates Officer for the Oxleas Board, Mr. Steve Wedgwood. He joined us to celebrate everything the group has done so far, and to hand out certificates to our members that recognised everyone's amazing contributions to DASH so far! A big thank ...

Bromley Memory Service recently received funding for a new art therapist role. I had the opportunity to join an art therapy taster session and offer feedback as a service user. I found the session very interesting, particularly the part around the history of art therapy in Bexley Hospital, as I used to work as a psychiatrist. I really enjoyed the session and found the therapist to be very good and supportive. When given a prompt to draw my “calm and quiet place”, I drew my mosque, which enabled me to feel relaxed. I found the session very engaging and would encourage my DASH group peers to have a go as I think it’s a great way to keep your mind active when living with dementia. What I learnt from the session is: You do not have to be good at art It's not what the work looks like that matters, it's what it represents You can use symbolism to take a step out of the actual mental/physical experience in order to make sense of it There is no wrong or right way to do art therapy The ...

 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...