Successful Community Event Sheds Light on Dementia and Parkinson's During Awareness Months
In a meaningful and illuminating evening hosted at Combe Grove in Bath, Sulis Hospital delivered a compelling public information session on "Understanding Dementia and Parkinson's" with insights from experts, marking a major highlight of Dementia Awareness Month.
Held on Tuesday, 20th May, the event drew a full house to the Oak Room, where guests were welcomed with refreshments and wholesome nibbles. From caregivers and healthcare professionals to concerned family members and those simply eager to learn, the gathering reflected a growing public appetite for knowledge and support surrounding cognitive and neurodegenerative health.
The evening, led by Dr Robin Fackrell, Consultant in Geriatric and General Medicine at Sulis Hospital, offered a compassionate yet very clear look at the symptoms and progression of Dementia and Parkinson's Disease. His insights demystified the often-overwhelming realities of these conditions and provided practical understanding.
Complementing this was Dr Campbell Murdock, GP and metabolic health expert at Combe Grove and the NHS, who delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the emerging connections between metabolic health and cognitive decline. His presentation, "Why Might Metabolic Health Matter for Dementia?", opened new avenues of thinking around prevention and long-term brain health.
A fascinating Q&A session followed, where the audience posed thoughtful, sometimes personal questions.
The discussion ranged from the importance of early diagnosis to strategies for supporting loved ones with personality changes, emotional challenges and difficulties in social settings - topics often left unspoken but deeply felt in affected families.
As April and May served as Parkinson's Disease and Dementia Awareness Months, the timing of the event underscored their importance. With over 1 in 11 people over the age of 65 in the UK living with dementia and more than 150,000 facing Parkinson's disease, the need for open conversation, education and community support is urgent.
Beyond the facts and figures, the evening was a reminder that understanding these conditions is about more than medicine - it's about empathy, connection and preparing for the future. Guests left not only with insights but also a sense of shared strength and reassurance that help is available.
Sulis Hospital, together with Combe Grove, succeeded in creating a meaningful community evening - one that will echo beyond the month of May and continue to support those navigating the complexities of neurodegenerative disease.
For those who missed the event, Sulis Hospital encourages continued engagement through follow-up resources, appointments with the appropriate specialist and future sessions aimed at promoting neurological and metabolic health.
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