Next week Kingsbridge, Totnes and Dartmouth will be among town and cities across the UK holding events to mark Dementia Awareness Week.

However, those of us who live or work in the South Hams have reason to pay particular attention.

Dementia is set to become the most common cause of death in developed nations. The total currently affected in the UK already exceeds 800,000 and, unless a cure is developed, that number is set to double in the next 25 years.

The flip-side of medical and social advances that have eradicated so many diseases of the past is increased prevalence of the health conditions of old-age and dementia is primarily a condition of old-age; one in every 14 people over the age of 65 has dementia.

And, as one of the country’s most attractive retirement destinations, the South Hams has a significantly higher proportion of residents in this age group.

There are several types of dementia, and all involve impairment of cognitive ability and are progressive. This means that the structure and chemistry of the brain become increasingly damaged over time.

The person’s ability to remember, understand, communicate and reason gradually declines. There is no cure for dementia. Medical intervention is therefore focused on diagnosis and management of the symptoms.

The progression from the occasional, inconvenient lapse in concentration and memory to the life-threatening impairment of bodily function may take decades. So those newly diagnosed with dementia may well have many years ahead of them.

Which poses the question, for those who provide care, as well as for the individual, what kind of years will those be?

The concept of social psychology lies at the core of the professionals’ response to this question and “community” plays a key role if people living with dementia are to experience relative wellbeing. And here, the South Hams is at an advantage, because “community” is something we really do have.

In the months following a well-attended public meeting in Kingsbridge, an informal group of local people has met several times over recent months to consider how better to harness the wealth of resources in our community to improve the lives of those around us living with dementia.

One lesson that has quickly become apparent is that Kingsbridge has plenty to learn from other groups, not least from some of the neighbouring towns. So what progress is Kingsbridge making?

Saltstone Caring has undertaken to expand its core befriending service by providing training for some of their volunteers in the specific challenges presented by dementia. The first course was held last week and more will follow.

Saltstone’s Trustees have also agreed to allocate resources to fund a two-year programme to support their involvement in dementia-related activities locally.

Rebecca Weare and Beccy Bristow, founding partners of the newly-established family law firm of Start Point Law are offering legal advice tailored to those dealing with the challenges of old-age, with fixed fees, irrespective of the time.

As trained Dementia Champions, in the weeks and months to come Rebecca and Beccy will be offering free training in dementia awareness to local businesses.

Kingsbridge and Salcombe Libraries have an excellent collection of books on dementia and library supervisor Maria Johnson is always ready to respond to queries.

On Tuesday, May 16, Start Point Law and St Luke’s Hospice, Plymouth, will jointly host a drop-in session on the Kingsbridge Bandstand between 9am and 11am. Then in the afternoon, Start Point Law will be running a free legal clinic from 2.30pm to 4.40pm in the Kingsbridge Library.

On Thursday, May 18, beginning at 2pm in the Kingsbridge Library, Rebecca and Beccy will be providing an understanding of dementia and the small things you can do that make a difference. A similar session will be run by Rebecca and Beccy in the Library on May 22 from 5pm to 6pm. These sessions are open to all. Now, what are you going to do?

By Derek Weaving