The Turkish Women’s Philanthropic Association of England (TWPA) will be hosting a special event on dementia at their Turnpike Lane centre.
“Time for a Cuppa with the TWPA” will take place on Friday, 6 May, giving TWPA members and visitors the opportunity to listen to and quiz Dr Mekella Mehmet-Yesil and Dr Akan Efe about the many forms dementia can take and its impact on those affected by it.
TWPA chairwoman Semahat Mustafa told T-VINE about why they are running the seminar, which takes place ahead of the nationwide Dementia Awareness Week on 15-21 May 2022.
“TWPA wanted to host an event on dementia because we hear about this term a lot these days, but most people don’t know very much about it.
“We currently have TWPA members and family members who are suffering from dementia, and felt it was important we understand this condition better.
“One couple I know, the husband has become very forgetful. On some days, he does not even remember his own grandchildren, and he says he wants to go to his home, even though he is already in his house. It’s really upsetting for his family to see him like this, and to know how to manage the situation.
“As a community, we are not very good at discussing such things or even where to go for help, so we are grateful that Dr Mekella Mehmet-Yesil and Dr Akan Efe can join us, so we can demystify dementia and help signpost people towards more information and support,” said Mrs Mustafa.
Dr Mekella Mehmet-Yesil is a Hackney-based public health specialist, who regularly gives talks on a host of general medical and public health issues. Dr Akan Efe MD is an internal diseases specialist, including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
“Everyone is welcome to come”, says Mrs Mustafa. “There’s no need for prior registration, people can just turn up,” she added. Those attending will also be asked to make a donation to Dementia UK.
About dementia
According to the NHS website, dementia is “a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning.”
Dementia has many different causes and occurs as part of a variety of illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Huntingdon’s Disease, Dementia With Lewy Bodies, and Parkinson’s Disease Dementia.
Symptoms of dementia can include memory loss, thinking speed, mental sharpness and quickness, using words incorrectly, or trouble speaking, understanding, judgement, mood and movement.
It mainly affects older people. It is thought one in 14 people over the age of 65 have dementia, with the condition affecting an estimated 1 in 6 people over 80.
The number of people with dementia is increasing because people are living longer. It is estimated that by 2025, the number of people with dementia in the UK will be more than 1 million.
About TWPA
The Turkish Women’s Philanthropic Association of England (TWPA) was formed in May 1970, where a number of Turkish Cypriot women came together to create a forum for women of Turkish heritage in Britain to come together.
In 1975, the TWPA became a registered charity. Its main aim is to provide practical and financial help for Turkish women and their families.
An important step in the association’s development was the purchase of their own building in 1992, located on Willoughby Road, Hornsey, North London.
The building has become known as the TWPA Centre, and is used as a drop-in centre, where members and the wider community can glean information, as well as attend regular social events, training courses, and health seminars, and support fundraising and other important community activities.
Health Seminar Details
Title: Time for a Cuppa with the TWPA:
Language: the dementia talk will be in Turkish
Date: Friday 6 May
Time: 10.30am to 1.30pm
Venue: TWPA Centre, 4 Willoughby Road, Hornsey, London, N8 0HR
Admission: This event is free to attend and open to members of the Turkish community. No prior registration is needed. Attendees will be asked to make a donation to charity Dementia UK.
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