Age UK Barnet is challenging over 55s in Barnet to try something new in Dementia Action Week (17-23 May 2021)
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Barnet residents can sign up this month for a week of free online activities, including cookery, painting and singing.
The classes are being offered as part of Dementia Action Week, a national event that aims to improve the lives of people living with dementia. This year, Barnet Council’s Public Health team has joined forces with Age UK Barnet and other partners to focus on reducing risk to dementia.
Research shows that 40 per cent of dementia cases can be prevented and that once a diagnosis has been made, there's plenty we can do to hold back cognitive decline.
“Poor lifestyle habits in our mid-life can increase the risk of dementia, for example, lack of physical activity, smoking, poor eating habits,” says Barnet Council senior public health strategist Seher Kayikci. “We also know that keeping your brain active and challenged throughout life may help reduce dementia risk.”
In line with COVID-19 restrictions older people were staying at home to protect themselves from the virus. Unfortunately, this has caused other problems such as loss of function - mobility and balance, especially as a result of moving around less and the psychological impact of living with so much stress, uncertainty and isolation, leading to increased loneliness.
As we are gradually coming out of lockdown, Age UK and Barnet Council are now encouraging Barnet residents to try something new. The idea of challenging your brain and learning new things is an important way to protect yourself from cognitive decline. Join our walks and other exercise sessions to move your body and enjoy warm weather.
Age UK Barnet is putting on a host of events and activities for over 55s throughout the week – a great opportunity to try something you’ve never done before.
Launch event - Monday 17 May 2021 11am-12noon
Join us for a Q&A with Age UK Barnet chief executive Helen Newman and neuroscientist Professor Catherine Loveday on why it's never too late and never too early to protect yourself from dementia and memory loss.
Then you'll get a chance to sample a few of the fun activities for over 55s that'll be on offer throughout the week including online exercise, a paint-along, a cookery demo and a singalong.
To register for the link, please go to Eventbrite.
For a timetable of activities throughout the week, plus our guide to reducing memory loss, head to the Age UK Barnet website.
For more information about the week, please email Karen.williamson@ageukbarnet.org.uk