MANY in the audience at the Crediton Dementia Awareness Day and Information Fair were moved to tears by a speaker’s account of her own experience of dementia.

Former GP Dr Jennifer Bute, who developed dementia in her 50s, has dedicated her life to understanding the disease from an insider’s perspective, and communicating her findings to the wider public.

Paula Kovacs, a co-organiser of the event at the Boniface Centre last Wednesday, said: “One would be hard put to find a more courageous woman than Dr Bute.

“She demystified the experience of dementia by outlining the many ways it can affect one’s normal waking consciousness, and offered support and comfort. “Many of us were moved to tears, feeling it a privilege to witness her presentation.”

Dr Bute was one of a team who spoke to some 80 members of the public, voluntary workers and health professionals on the day, who all offered various insights into the condition and the new approaches to supporting those with dementia and their carers.

The Rev Brian Shillingford, chair of Crediton Dementia Action Alliance (CDAA) and Marion Pollinger, a volunteer Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia Friends Champion, spoke of the work of CDAA to improve the lives of people with dementia, and their carers, in Crediton. Wendy Weidner talked of the practical and emotional support offered by the specialist dementia nursing service Admiral Nurses.

Graham Pilsbury, of law firm Gilbert Stephens, explained the important legal issues thrown up by dementia, particularly the role of people with Lasting Power of Attorney speaking on behalf of those with dementia. Jacky Forbes spoke of how brain activity and communication could be improved by singing, and Alex Mucha talked of how dementia support workers could ease problems of those with dementia and their carers.

Also at the event were 14 information stands staffed by representatives of organisations that work in the field of dementia support and caring.

The day was organised by the Crediton & District Branch of Devon Senior Voice, the voluntary forum for older people in the county.