Dementia Action Week – Being A Dementia Friend Ambassador
This week, to raise awareness for Dementia Action Week, our team are discussing why they became a Dementia Friend Ambassador and how that has helped them in their role and also in their personal life. Today we hear from Wills and Probate Solicitor Anna-Louise Bradley…
My Role At Timms
Hello, I am Anna Bradley, I am a Dementia Friend Ambassador and a solicitor working at Timms Solicitors in both their Swadlincote and Ashby offices. I joined the Wills and Probate Team in October 2018.
I was introduced to the Alzheimer’s’ Society, and the various symptoms of Dementia by listening to a Dementia Friends Information Session talk presented by my colleague, Charlotte Day a few years ago.
I have recently undertaken the online refresher course so that I am now a Dementia Friends Ambassador volunteer.
Becoming A Dementia Friends Ambassador
Through the training I have learnt that the wordsome of the common symptoms of Dementia may include; memory loss, difficulties with concentrating, problem-solving or language, and often changes in mood, perception, or behaviour. These symptoms tend to get worse over time. Dementia isn’t a natural part of ageing and it occurs when the brain is affected by a disease, in this case, Dementia.
How Does Being A Dementia Friend Ambassador Help Me?
Being a Dementia Friend Ambassador helps in my professional job as a Wills and Probate Solicitor, and also in my day to day life to show compassion to those living with Dementia and their carers.
As my clients can be affected by Dementia, and if they or their carer disclose this to me, I can then take steps to accommodate their particular needs and consider any extra considerations I need to take. For example, giving the client more time to reply to questions.
My dad died from Alzheimer’s in January 2018, so I am personally aware of the effects of this disease on someone you love. I remember the actions we took to help my dad and my mum who was his carer, cope with this together as a family.
More Information On Becoming A Dementia Friend
If you would like more information regarding becoming a Dementia Friend, please do not hesitate to contact my colleague Charlotte Day on 01283 561 531 or via email at c.day@timms-law.com. Alternatively, you can read more about the Dementia Friends Information Sessions on our website by clicking here.
May 2022