LETTER: Loneliness a key factor in dementia

It was a well written piece about the effect of living alone in old age.

I have now been a widower for over 12 years and some of that time I would spend all day not talking to anyone because all my family are working.

If it is odd days then that is alright, but when it is every day, over a long period the only thing we can think about is our past and after years of this I think that this is one of the causes of dementia.

I was very lucky to be told of the Cornwater Club at Ravenshead about six years ago at the Ravens Lodge building just below the Little John pub.

I go there three days a week and enjoy talking to people from all walks of life. We also go on a trip out every Tuesday.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays we have a lovely meal and there are activities such as art (painting pictures – not doors and windows!), crafts of various sorts, musicians come for sing-alongs, ladies who do bobbin lace and also flower arranging, we have talks on various subjects and there are always dominoes, scrabble, cards and other games if you wish.

But, it is the interaction with other people that is most important, instead of trying to put right the things that went wrong in the past.

My life has changed since I came to the Cornwater Club and I would recommend to anyone who might feel like coming along to have a go – the first visit is FREE!

After that the cost is £10 for the day plus £1 for the raffle – this amount is a quarter of the cost to go to Age Concern for a similar day.

On Thursdays, people who need a little more help are catered for.

If you feel like coming for a “Taster Day” please phone 01623 491159.

Gordon Turner

Oxton

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