Vulnerable people with dementia deserve a voice

Published: 3 February, 2011

• I AM greatly upset over the planned closure of the Netherwood Day Centre in West Hampstead, which is being integrated with the Raglan House Day Centre to supposedly provide “a single enhanced service”.

My stepfather (aged 70 years) has early-onset Alzheimer’s and he has been attending Netherwood for over a year, four days a week. The difference it has made to his life has been immense. He now has a reason to get up in the mornings, looking forward to being collected by the bus which takes him to and from the centre, where he can mix with a variety of people, sit in the garden and chat, try his hand at different hobbies and feel that he is with people who understand him and who are sympathetic to his needs. If he didn’t have the centre he would revert to how he felt before he was awarded a place; that he didn’t have any reason to wash and dress and look after himself. Netherwood is close to his home and for people with Alzheimer’s/ dementia it can be a real problem for them to face a journey through heavy traffic. Having such a centre nearby has been a godsend for my mother, who is my stepfather’s carer; without it she would be housebound as she cannot leave him for any length of time.

The staff at Netherwood are amazing. This would be one cut too far. Those suffering with Alzheimer’s and dementia need a voice in the community.

CONNIE CASEY 
Address supplied