If you don't already receive our weekly e-newsletter full of useful local information and news told with a personal twist do sign up for it here - and then read on!

There are more than 944,000 people in the UK with dementia and 1 in 11 over the age of 65.  Because people are living longer, current predictions are that by 2030 the number will be more than 1 million. (Source: https://www.nhs.uk and search dementia.) And notwithstanding the emergence of new drugs which can slow symptoms to some extent, there is currently no cure. Despite the fact that many people with dementia will eventually need 24 hour support including nursing, dementia care is still labelled "social" and very little funding is available. In other words, on top of the emotional aspects, the cost of older age can suddenly wrack up horribly.

So National Dementia Action Week is pertinent to many of us. And whilst this has a number of national objectives not least campaigning for more government funding, locally the focus of Lymington Dementia Action Group (LDAG) is twofold. First it's to provide information, including signposting to a number of organisations which can provide support of various kinds. And secondly it's to help "living with dementia" to be a positive experience for as long as possible, by offering enjoyable activities and companionship. Please spread the word! Meanwhile a summary of what's happening next week.

• Tomorrow Sat 11 May 12.30pm at The Malt Cinema: Lymington Community Centre and the Lymington Players are hosting a special Parkinson and Dementia Friendly Lunch and Theatre Performance (and LCC hosts monthly special dementia-friendly screenings of current films, often with lunch to follow).
• On Friday 17 May 2-4pm LDAG with the Bonhomie Charity is hosting a Dementia Information Session with free refreshments at Lymington Community Centre. Everyone is welcome, just turn up - this will be a useful opportunity to chat with others and ask questions of the team. 
• On Saturday 18 May, there's a Tea Dance in New Milton which is being hosted by Bluebird Care.
• Throughout the year LDAG hosts relaxed and friendly support and activities groups for people with dementia and their carers: on Tuesday mornings at United Reformed Church in the centre of Lymington, and on Thursday mornings at the Coates Centre at Oakhaven. Plus Dementia Art New Forest provides a lovely weekly Art Workshop, alternate Monday mornings at Linden House in Lymington and Bridge House in Milford. And the Forget-me-not Singing Club takes place weekly on Friday afternoons in Brockenhurst Methodist Church Hall. All dementia friendly events are listed on the Lymington.com Events Calendar (from the full calendar select the category "dementia" and note the link: http://lymington.com/dementia-events). 

All dementia friendly events are listed on the Lymington.com Events Calendar (from the full calendar select the category "dementia" and note the link: http://lymington.com/dementia-events).