Do your bit for family carers living with dementia and sign up for the charity Dementia Carers Count’s walking challenge next month.
There are 700,000 families in the UK caring for a loved one with dementia. Being a carer can be a stressful and isolating experience, with many carers often reporting feelings of loneliness. Eight in ten people caring for a loved one have reported feeling lonely or socially isolated due to their caring responsibilities. Over 50 per cent of carers surveyed said that taking regular breaks from caring would make a difference and 40 per cent said that being able to take part in leisure activities would also help.
Dementia Carers Count is a charity that supports friends and family caring for someone with dementia by offering expert-led one and three-day courses, as well as an online Virtual Carers Centre for access to information and resources.
In the spirit of getting carers to be active and take a much-needed break, as well as acknowledging the tireless work performed by all carers, Dementia Carers Count is holding its annual event online this year. Registration for the event, called Every Small Step – making dementia carers count, opens on 13th September.
Get out and walk
This virtual event will take place over five days, from Sunday 18th October, concluding on Thursday 22nd October. Dementia Carers Count is inviting you to get out and walk and make every small step count for family dementia carers. Event participants can set their own walking challenge and the charity aims to reach a cumulative step count of 700,000, one for every family dementia carer in the UK. The event is open to everyone – you don’t have to be a carer, but if you are, you may find that having the motivation to get out and walk will help you manage your stress levels.
Terry and Maureen Barnett enjoying a relaxing walk
Exercise is a great way to manage mental health and wellbeing and reduce the stress associated with being a carer. According to the NHS website, people who exercise every day reduce their risk of stress and anxiety by over 40 per cent. Even a brisk ten-minute walk can help to clear your mind and enable you to relax.
Stories of dementia
Need something to inspire you with your steps? On each day of the event, Dementia Carers Count will release a specially recorded podcast episode, which showcases the stories of the dementia carer community. These podcasts will shine a light on the lives and experiences of the people caring for a friend or family member with dementia. You’ll hear a variety of voices including public figures, healthcare professionals, celebrities, and younger carers, all sharing their experiences of dementia.
Dementia Carers Count invites you to sign up for the event; form your own walking group, and go for a stroll with your community. By taking a small step for family dementia carers, you’ll help make a giant leap for the dementia carer community. You can register for the event today.
How to sign up
The event costs £5 to enter, but Dementia Carers Count is offering free places to those unable to afford the entry fee. You can find out more information about it, including how to enter at https://dementiacarers.org.uk/event
The Dementia Carers Count staff and carers.