Dementia Quotes

With longer life-expectancy, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase. By 2030 it is estimated that about 21,400 people in Norfolk and Waveney will have dementia. Patients who have dementia are more likely to stay longer in hospital and experience complications than those without dementia. During 2018-2019 there were 6,190 emergency hospital admissions in Norfolk for people with a co-morbidity of dementia.

When someone has dementia the parts of their brain used for telling the time begin to deteriorate and eventually stop functioning but there is an increasing amount of evidence that Dementia Friendly Calendar Clocks can greatly improve the independence of people who are prone to forgetfulness, or who have impaired memory.

Memory problems also make it likely that they will forget what day it is, or even what month or season, leading to confusion about what they should be doing, where they need to be, or even what they should wear – hence dementia friendly clocks can help enormously.

All members of Priory Rotary Club are very keen to support the Dementia Care Appeal by purchasing Dementia Friendly Calendar Clocks which will be mounted in ward bays and some communal areas of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to help this group of patients. One of the members of our 'Priory Friends' group has clinical experience in caring for people with dementia. She runs a community-based dementia cafe at which several of our members volunteer, an experience they find very rewarding. She keeps the club up to date with current thinking in this field and we are keen to stay involved with this hospital project thereby supporting increasing numbers of people in our local community. Added to this some Rotary members have direct experience of dementia and are interested in helping this cause.

With the help of a significant Rotary District Grant and contributions from King’s Lynn Trinity and Hunstanton Rotary Clubs, we have been able to purchase 18 clocks, enough for every ward in the hospital. Priory Rotary Club, King’s Lynn.