HOLSWORTHY took a further step towards setting up a Memory Café in the town on Tuesday, July 27 when David Light of Bishopsteignton, who has been energetically promoting them across Devon, went to speak to the Holsworthy Senior Council.

He said there were now 30 such cafes in the county, meeting fortnightly or monthly, set up and run by local volunteers with the support of professionals. They were open to people with memory problems and to those suffering from dementia and their carers. The aim was to identify early signs of dementia and other problems since early detection leads to a better prognosis. It was hoped that access to a local Memory Café might be one route into treatment, where help, advice and support would be available.

A mental health worker or Community Psychiatric Nurse would be present to make the assessment and if necessary refer a potential dementia sufferer to a GP. The café also provided support to carers — providing a sociable time when they were briefly relieved of their caring responsibilities with word games, sing-songs, bingo, etc. No fee was required from those who attended.

Mr Light also gave practical advice as to how to go about setting up a Memory Café. An overall organiser was needed to take responsibility and a steering committee was needed to fundraise, help with publicity and recruit volunteers. The day room at the hospital was thought to be a suitable venue.

It was decided to call a public meeting of interested parties in the near future. Mr Light predicted it should be possible to be up and running in two to three months.