AN Ivybridge medical group held an event to help patients and carers to learn more about dementia and the range of support available in the area.

Beacon Medical Group led the event, alongside Dementia Friends, for a mixed audience of patients, carers, local volunteers and councillors.

Dr David Gwynne and Leah Parsons presented the informative review of dementia, diagnosis, treatment options and the latest research ­developments.

Dr Gwynne said: ‘We wanted to shine a light on what is a complex and daunting topic. Dementia is a debilitating and progressive disease that touches so many people’s lives.

‘As a doctor, when someone comes to me with symptoms there are many other options we explore before we diagnose dementia. Other ­conditions – depression, head injury, vitamin B12 deficiency – can mimic the symptoms of dementia and simple interventions can rapidly make a ­difference.

‘Dementia affects patients in different ways

and at different rates and we have a broad range of treatments to offer patients, including ­behavioural therapy, anti-psychotic drugs and antidepressants.

‘The impact of living with dementia can harm the well-being of patients just as much as the ­disorder itself. We will sometimes see that as fear and panic and the confusion and loss of control can easily lead to frustration and depression.

‘When we work with patients we try to help them and their carers to live well with dementia. There is a lot of hope in the developments of ­treatments.

‘By diagnosing the condition early, we can get support in quickly so that people don’t feel ­isolated and so that we can alleviate the other symptoms.’

Leah Parsons, a local dementia champion, added: ‘The Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest-ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia.

‘It aims to transform the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.

‘Dementia affects one in 14 people aged over 65. It touches on the lives of most people in their family or their neighbourhood.

‘We go out into our communities with a greater understanding of dementia and some of the

ways everyone can help people living with the condition.

‘From being more patient in shop queues,

to volunteering or campaigning for change, Dementia Friends is helping to create communities in which people living with dementia feel more understood and included.’

After the presentation, members of the ­audience were given the opportunity to meet the speakers as well as representatives of local ­support groups, including Ivybridge Caring Volunteers, the Patient Participation Group and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Beacon Medical Group is planning to follow up the event across Ivybridge and Plympton later in the year, offering the opportunity for patients and carers to learn more.

Dr Gwynne added: ‘This topic was the top priority for our patient groups, but there’s a long list of areas that patients want to find out more about.

‘The Patient Participation Group is planning a health fair in the autumn that will give people the chance to learn about health, the simple things everyone can do and, most importantly, the ­myriad means of support that’s out there.’