A SOCIAL media celebrity with more than 60 million views was the guest speaker at this month’s South Ribble Dementia Action Alliance meeting as it launched its new Living Well Guide.
The South Ribble Dementia Action Alliance (SRDAA) heard from Simon McDermott, the son of Teddy Mac, aka The Songaminute Man.
Teddy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2013 and struggles with poor memory, sometimes forgetting who family members are – that is, until music is played.
Simon found that, during a car ride in their Blackburn hometown, Teddy would sing along to old classics on the stereo.
The joy this brought them both blossomed into something even greater: YouTube videos, an album, a book, and more than £130,000 raised for the Alzheimer’s Society.
They received messages and donations from around the world – as far as Japan, America and Sweden, even claiming a number three hit in the Japanese music charts.
South Ribble Partnership manager, Howard Anthony, used the meeting to announce the launch of a new Living Well Guide created by South Ribble Partnership along with the SRDAA.
It is full of useful information and contacts to help those living with dementia along with their carers, friends and families to continue doing the things they enjoy.
This includes guidance on Lasting Power of Attorney and other legal and financial support.
For businesses, there are details about the South Ribble Dementia Charter which they are encouraged to sign-up to in order to ensure the borough’s town centres and places where people go are dementia friendly and supportive.
Anna-Marie Knipe, who chairs SRDAA, said: “We were honoured to welcome Simon McDermott, son of the Songaminute Man, to share his experiences with us.
“His stories were simply staggering, eye-opening and heart-warming and his personal account of living with a relative with dementia showed that the right support is vital. There is always help at hand and it’s so important to ask for it.
“This is why we have worked hard on our 23-page Living Well Guide which is an absolute must-read for the residents and businesses of South Ribble.”