Two politicians have praised a new centre in North Wales which is providing people with dementia and their families with the support they need to cope with the complex condition.
Clwyd West MS Darren Millar and North Wales MS Mark Isherwood visited the North Wales Dementia Centre in Mochdre on Monday to meet with staff, service users and volunteers.
During the visit they adjudicated at a game of bingo, thanked staff and volunteers for their work, and discussed dementia services in the region with Alison Jones, Chief Executive of Carers Trust North Wales and Gwenno Davies, the Project Leader for the Dementia Support Service.
They also took a tour of the facility, which opened in the summer, and learnt more about the support it provides to people with dementia and their loved ones, post a dementia diagnosis.
Darren said:
“The centre is a fantastic facility which hosts community groups, dementia cafes, social activities, emotional support, and gives free training advice and guidance to people with dementia and their families. It has provided support to more than 500 people since it opened in July of this year.
“Dementia is a complex condition which affects every individual differently. Those living with the condition and their families often feel alone and unsure how to deal with the challenges dementia can create. It is therefore great that people in this position in North Wales can now access the support they need.”
Mark also praised the centre and during a Senedd debate on Dementia on Wednesday, urged the Welsh Government to look at it as a best practice model.
Speaking in the debate, he said;
“On Monday, Darren Millar and I visited the Carers Trust North Wales Crossroads Care Services at their new North Wales Dementia Centre in North Wales. We heard that this is unique in Wales, contracted and funded via Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board but run on a charitable basis. We heard about their plans to create a best-practice hub in central Wales, hopefully with satellite hubs in the east and west. Will you join me in urging the Welsh Government to look at this as a best-practice model?”
Outside the meeting, he added:
“There are an estimated 50,000 people living with dementia in Wales. This figure is expected to rise to over 64,000 by 2030, including over 41,000 with severe dementia, to almost 80,000 by 2040 and to 100,000 by 2050, it is therefore vital that the support is out there for those living with the condition and their families.”
The North Wales Dementia Centre services are available to anyone who lives in North Wales. Anyone in need of information, advice or support can call 01492 542212. The centre is based at the Quinton Hazell Enterprise Parc, Glan y Wern Road, Mochdre, Colwyn Bay, LL28 5BS.