Eight years on, dementia adviser Angi still loves her role helping others

ANGI INCH was one of Alzheimer Scotland’s original dementia advisers when the role was created in 2009.

Eight years on, she loves her job as much as ever.

“It’s an amazing position,” she said. “People come to us when things are bad, when they’re not feeling positive, but when they speak with me or one of the other advisers they realise they do actually have options.

“People use us as sounding boards and all we want is to get the best outcomes for people – we don’t have an agenda.”

Thanks to generous fundraisers like those taking part in Memory Walks, there are now 33 advisers throughout Scotland.

That’s a number Angi, who covers East Dunbartonshire, would love to see increase further. “A lot of the dementia advisers, me included, are only part-time. We would love to have full-time advisers throughout Scotland so people receive the immediate response they need.

“There are so many people now contacting us.

“When we first started we knew we wanted to make sure no one went through dementia alone, but the role has evolved and people now expect so much more.”

Adapting to living with dementia can be a huge challenge, not just for the individual but for their family and friends, too. Advisers deliver personalised, one-to-one support, helping people negotiate the maze of health and social care services.

They also co-ordinate interactive activities such as dementia cafes, singing groups, allotments and reminiscence projects.

Angi, from Cumbernauld, started with Alzheimer Scotland 16 years ago, working in a variety of roles.

“My gran and great aunt had Alzheimer’s, which is what prompted my interest,” she explained.

“As time has gone on, three more members of the family have been diagnosed.

“Not one has had similar symptoms. I’ve met thousands of people with dementia over the years and not one is the same as the next.”

Angi operates out of Bearsden Dementia Resource Centre.

“Awareness is so important and it’s amazing the number of people who just pop in as they’re passing by – van drivers come in and ask for advice about a parent they are concerned about, for example.

“We also see people walking back and forth outside before deciding to come in and ask for advice. I can’t think of a more interesting, varied role.”